Why the Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) Program should be required for Medical Science Liaison (MSL) & Medical Affairs Professionals.
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In today’s rapidly evolving pharmaceutical industry, the roles of Medical Affairs and MSL professionals have become indispensable in bridging the gap between medical knowledge & commercial strategies. These positions require individuals with a strong scientific background, exceptional communication skills, and a profound understanding of ethical practices.
A survey by the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA), the leading provider of accredited board certification for medical affairs and MSL professionals, indicated that over 85% of key opinion leader (KOL) physicians preferred board certified medical affairs and MSL professionals over those that are not board certified.
To ensure the highest standards of professionalism, it is imperative that board certification becomes a mandatory requirement for professionals in these roles.
This article will therefore aim to elucidate the significance of board certification. As well, it will highlight historical concerns about pharma industry ethics that necessitate its implementation.
Ensuring Competence and Expertise:
Board certification is a rigorous process that assesses the knowledge, skills, and experience of professionals in their respective fields. In the pharmaceutical industry, where accurate medical information dissemination is paramount, ensuring the competence of Medical Affairs and MSL professionals is essential.
By mandating board certification, the industry can guarantee that these individuals possess a deep understanding of:
- Medical science
- Pharmacology
- Therapeutic areas
Having a deep understanding of these points enables them to deliver accurate and reliable information to healthcare providers and patients.
Additionally, the primary two teams that engage healthcare professionals (HCPs) by the pharmaceutical industry are pharmaceutical sales representatives and MSLs.
Furthermore, Board Certification for MSLs provides an important distinction versus traditional pharmaceutical sales reps. Traditional pharma rep’s primary goals are to sell versus “educate” HCPs as MSLs do.
Upholding Ethical Conduct:
There have been several instances where pharmaceutical companies are involved in unethical practices related:
- To KOL speaker training
- Violation of anti-kickback statutes
- Providing bias or skewed information
- Unintentionally providing incorrect information to HCPs
Indeed, pharmaceutical industry ethics have been a subject of concern for several years, with instances of improper promotional practices, data manipulation, and conflicts of interest. Board certification can play a pivotal role in promoting ethical conduct within the industry.
Certified professionals are bound by a strict code of ethics and standards. Certification guides their interactions with healthcare professionals, stakeholders, and patients. Board certification not only fosters transparency and accountability but also reinforces the commitment to prioritize patient well-being over commercial interests.
Additionally, data from a recent survey of pharmaceutical industry professionals by the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs provided clear insights. The study indicated that over 70% of pharma industry compliance professionals believe that a Board Certification requirement for medical affairs and MSL professionals will improve medical affairs compliance. They also believe it will minimize risk to pharmaceutical companies long-term.
Building Trust and Credibility:
Trust is the cornerstone of any relationship, and it holds true for the medical community as well. With this in mind, by mandating board certification, the pharmaceutical industry can bolster the trust and credibility of Medical Affairs and MSL professionals. Physicians and healthcare providers will have increased confidence in the information shared by certified experts. This will lead to better collaboration and more informed treatment decisions.
Elevating the Status of Medical Affairs and MSL Roles:
Firstly, oard certification elevates the status of the roles of Medical Affairs and MSL professionals; recognizing their expertise is on par with other certified healthcare specialists.
This recognition not only enhances career prospects, but undoubtably attracts highly qualified individuals to pursue these roles. As a result, there is a pool of talented professionals who are dedicated to advancing medical knowledge fostering ethical practices
BCMAS: The standard for MSL and Medical Affairs Professionals
The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) program is a self-paced, 20 module online program by the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA).
The BCMAS program is cited as the standard for the MSL profession and is thought to be the most comprehensive program for MSL and Medical Affairs professionals. Therefore, currently as of 2023, it is the largest with over 6000+ certified in 80 countries, and implemented within over 250+ biopharmaceutical companies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, board certification for pharmaceutical industry Medical Affairs and Medical Science Liaison professionals is important. It is unquestionably, a vital step towards ensuring competence, upholding ethical standards, building trust, and elevating the status of these roles.
By mandating certification, consequently the industry takes a proactive approach in addressing concerns about pharmaceutical industry ethics and reinforcing its commitment to promoting the well-being of patients and healthcare providers.
Finally, as the pharmaceutical landscape continues to evolve, embracing board certification will be a crucial stride towards achieving excellence and credibility.