The Medical Science Liaison Role in Spain: Opinion of the Commercial Department Personnel

INTRODUCTION: The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) works in a cross-functional way, especially with the commercial department. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge of these positions about the MSL role in their companies and describe the grade of internal interaction between them in daily practice. METHODS: An online survey was completed by 151 employees from commercial departments between January and April 2020. It consisted of 29 or 31 items, depending on answers. RESULTS: Of participants, 22.5% and 77.5% occupied management or non-management positions, respectively. Most respondents stated that the MSL role belongs primarily to the medical department (94.6%), considered important that promotional materials are elaborated or supported by the medical department (95.4%), highlighted the importance of sharing their daily activity with MSLs (77.8%) and vice versa (89.3%). The most valuable activity of MSLs was clinical sessions (55.3%), followed by speaker briefings (16.0%), and data discussions (14.7%). Most useful activities of MSLs for participant’s day to day were external training (sessions to healthcare providers, HCPs, 34.9%), support of key opinion leaders’ (KOLs) unmet needs (22.1%), and feedback from fieldwork aimed at redefining new strategies of the company (15.4%). The mean overall assessment (0–10) of the MSL was 8.1. CONCLUSION: The MSL represents a key role inside pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies, providing scientific value. The members of the commercial departments interact with the MSL on a daily basis and consider that it is a strategic position with a great future that adds value within the company.