Newly Updated for 2011: Medical Science Liaison Study Shows Growth in KOL Outreach, Impact

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Although top bio-pharmaceutical companies agree that Key Opinion Leader support is critical in the successful launch of a new product, increasing competition has made it difficult to maintain high levels of KOL engagement. Consequently, the role of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) in forging relationships with these thought leaders has grown dramatically in recent years.

In fact, today, MSL involvement in identifying and forging relationships with KOLs has increased by more than 20% since 2009, according to a newly-published Best Practices, LLC study entitled Medical Science Liaisons: Gaining Access and Forging Relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (Updated for 2011).

As one interviewed Senior Vice President commented: "Time spent by Medical Science Liaisons in interaction [with KOLs] is now used as a metric to measure MSL effectiveness."

With interviews and key insights drawn from 27 leaders at 24 leading bio-pharmaceutical companies, this Best Practices, LLC benchmarking study identifies a wealth of strategies and proven tactics that helps Medical Affairs and other executives to effectively determine the optimal number of liaisons, mix of responsibilities, number of interactions and span of control that are critical to build strong and productive relationships over the life of a brand.

The full 78-page report contains more than 600 benchmark metrics and scores of executive narratives that companies can use to benchmark key management factors reflecting size, service levels and roles of Medical Science Liaisons in serving KOLs and hard-to-see physicians.

Additionally, this critical report provides a series of fascinating longitudinal data comparisons from 2009 - the date of Best Practices, LLC's original study on the topic - and a host of current data from 2011 enabling executives to capitalize on new trends which animate MSL strategy throughout the industry.

Key topics of this primary research include:

--  Benchmark pre and post-launch service activities
    --  Identify drivers of group size & focus
    --  Gain insight into structuring & aligning medical with sales
        organizations
    --  Identify optimal call frequencies and service levels with thought
        leaders
    --  Identify relationship management standards of excellence
    --  Identify value associated with MSL and the activities they perform
    --  Budget allocation to MSL function

To learn more about the study, download a complimentary summary at http://www.best-in-class.com/rr1045.htm

For more information, contact Cameron Tew, Executive Director of Research and Publishing at Best Practices, LLC at [phone] or [e-mail].

BEST PRACTICES, LLC conducts work based on the simple yet profound principle that organizations can chart a course to superior economic performance by studying the best business practices, operating tactics and winning strategies of world-class companies. Best Practices, LLC has been a leader in pharmaceutical research and consulting for more than 17 years; our clients include 48 of the top 50 pharmaceutical companies.

Best Practices, LLC

CONTACT: Kim Hardin, Best Practices, LLC, [phone],
[e-mail]

Web site: http://www.best-in-class.com/