Thinking of Healthcare. Being an medical advisor.

 Thinking of Healthcare. Being an medical advisor

What tasks and responsibilities can you expect as a Medical Advisor?

An Medical Advisor works in close collaboration with headquarters departments of the employing company. For example, with the regulatory, market access, marketing and sales departments you set up strategic plans for company products and help to make new introductions. You contribute to the positioning of newly marketed products. You may also be an active member of the national brand team along with marketing, sales, medical and senior management representatives.

In summary, the job description may include:

• signalling and assessing local clinical research possibilities;
• setting up, supervising and co-reporting clinical studies;
• presenting medical science information to audiences, journals and key decision-makers; coordinating advisory boards and round tables;
• designing, setting up and delivering accredited further training and leading medical and marketing projects;
• providing medical and scientific input in the brand team;
• ensuring integrity in company adherence to CGR rules on pharmaceutical products’ advertising, and promoting interpretation of CGR ruling between the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals.

In this position you may also have a team to manage; this will depend on the organisational structure and size of your company – for example, whether MSLs are on the same level or below MA.

What education and skills do you need as a Medical Advisor?

Before you apply for an Medical Advisor job, you will need to hold a completed bio medical education to at least MSc. A BIG or medical doctor (MD) registration or a PhD could sometimes be a requirement, depending on the organisation and the particular vacancy. 

What are the career prospects as a Medical Advisor?

An Medical Advisor role is often a second step in a career where, for example, you have gained experience as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL), Medical Officer, Medical Information Officer or Clinical Research Associate (CRA). If you are working for a Medical Affairs Manager, Head of Medical Affairs or directly to the Medical Director and depending on your background, these positions might also represent your career path.