Thank you for your inquiry, @mclouu! Historically, medical science liaison (MSL) teams were comprised of professionals from a broad range of educational levels and backgrounds. Over the years, the education needed to obtain an MSL role has progressively advanced. Today, a doctorate degree has become an industry standard for the educational requirements of the MSL role. Approximately 80 percent of current MSLs globally have completed doctoral-level education in the life sciences or health professions. The three most highly pursued educational paths for the MSL role include the Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Doctor of Medicine degree, and Doctor of Philosophy degree, namely in the area of medical expertise that a company or product requires. Although a terminal degree is most common, a master's degree or equivalent experience is acceptable for some MSL positions. Regardless of the educational program pursued, an MSL candidate should establish a strong scientific foundation (knowledge base and skill set) to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving clinical landscape. In addition, continuing education is important to stay abreast of scientific advancements in a therapeutic area and competently practice as an MSL. We appreciate your outreach and hope that this information is beneficial as you pursue your next career steps!

Thank you for your outreach, Dr. Riyan! Typically, the starting salary of a pharmacist in a medical science liaison role is greater than that of a clinical pharmacist in a community-based or hospital setting. At the time of this writing, the average national starting salary for a community pharmacist ranges from $95,000 to $125,000. Hospital pharmacist starting salaries vary based on prior hospital exposure, residency training, and generalist versus specialist roles. Up-to-date salary information for medical science liaisons can be found at themsls.org/medical-science-liaison-salary-compensation, with the average salary for a medical science liaison with less than one year of experience hovering around $157,000. More detailed pharmacist compensation insights and data, such as regional salary differences and market demand, can be found at Glassdoor.com, Salary.com, ZipRecruiter.com, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov/oes). The Pharmacy Workforce Center's Pharmacy Demand Report, available on a quarterly basis at aacp.org/article/pharmacy-demand-report-pdr, provides market analytics and workforce demand statistics that you may also find beneficial as you compare pharmacist career paths. Wishing you all the best in your career exploration!

Hello and thank you for your excellent questions! There are an increasing number of postdoctoral pharmacy fellowship programs and positions available, and the proportion of Doctor of Pharmacy graduates participating in fellowship training has grown significantly over the past decade. Although completing a fellowship program can provide valuable learning experiences and a competitive advantage in the job market, it is not a prerequisite for obtaining a position in the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, of the estimated 20,000 pharmacists employed in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, slightly over 20% of these pharmacists have completed an industry fellowship. If pursuing an industry fellowship interests you, consider exploring the directory of U.S. fellowship programs at accp.com/resandfel. As always, TranspharmD is here to support and guide you throughout your career exploration and postgraduate training journey. To access pharmacy fellowship resources and learn about the experiences and advice of current pharmacy fellows, read more at transpharmd.com/pharmacy-fellows. I will allow Dr. Atanasoski to reply to your questions for her regarding qualifying exams, daily work schedule, and travel expectations. Thank you for your engagement with TranspharmD!

Hi Irina, thanks for your question! Although I don't personally know anyone that has made the transition from pharmacovigilance to MSL, I would definitely think its possible to make that transition for a number of reasons. You already work for a pharmaceutical company and thus have background knowledge on the company and culture, although the roles are not directly similar, there are areas where they overlap. I know of many companies that try to hire talent within the company first. If you feel that the MSL role is something your interested in for a career choice, why not go for it? I would highly recommend connecting with an MSL within your company to get their direct perspective on their specific responsibilities and see if it aligns with your career aspirations. Good luck!

Hello, Somesh! Thank you for your inquiry. In this video, Dr. Atanasoski speaks to her role as a field-based medical science liaison (MSL) responsible for a regional territory within the United States. However, the general scope of work and responsibilities of an MSL are applicable to practice in other countries as well. Many major pharmaceutical companies operate through multiple international branches, and their Global Medical Affairs units function relatively uniformly amongst sites to maintain a standard of practice throughout the division. Teams may have varied nuances--for example, in organizational structure and operational processes related to local rules and regulations--but the purpose, mission, and vision remains at the center of work functions. Aside from country-specific language requirements and adaptability to cultural norms, the core skill set of an MSL is interchangeable across countries. Of course, you may see variances in market competition for roles based on geography and population density, as within any industry. I hope that this information is helpful to you, Somesh. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any further questions!

I am a clinical pharmacist and they always tell me " MSL for physicians or for pharmacists with previous experience in pharmacy industry"

@@mohamedabdalla2972 Thank you for your question! As someone who didn’t have experience in the pharmaceutical industry, I understand that is can be a challenge when looking for a position. Although many applications will state “need MSL experience” that isn’t always the case. If you have experience within the therapeutic area that helps tremendously with setting yourself as a strong candidate. Also don’t be afraid to still apply for those positions that state that because there are still MSLs that are hired without experience. I hope that helps and good luck in your search!

@@Lzatanasoski Thank you for that! I am in the exact position. Loads of clinical experience within most clinical areas, 6+years in Hospital settings yet always got stuck in this same place. Can I just also say that the way you presented our profession as pharmacists has been so helpful in updating my CV. Your video has helped me immensely! Thank you!

@@user-vf4ct5fy7h Thank you for those kind words! I hope your MSL job search is going well!