MSL's are overpaid and unnecessary

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Re: MSL\'s are overpaid and unnecessary

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I think the days of the MSL as a glorified sales rep are already here. Number of 'calls', call notes, messaging, etc.
Sell, sell, sell.

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Certainly in big pharma but not in the smaller company. As for MSL value , it is what it is. Bottomline the MSL will have longer staying power and value than the avg. sales rep. Its just the way it is.
 






Re: MSL\'s are overpaid and unnecessary

The powers that be do not usually recognize the value or benefit of MSLs as a necessity in today's 'what have you done for me lately' mentality. They look for quantifiable measures and MSLs don't often produce those like a sales organization does.

But, most MSLs are seeing their role getting morphed into a numbers driven enterprise to please the higher ups that usually came from sales or marketing. And they typically have little appreciation for a genuine collaboration with academia unless there is a underlying agenda to sell a product or data.
 






I disagree that anyone in the sales department of a pharma/bio has an upper hand over an MSL. One of the main reasons is almost all sales reps lack an advanced degree. A Masters is not an advanced degree, just in case anyone is interested or wondering.......Most biotech companies won't hire candidates as MSL's/MSS unless they have an advanced degree. Talk to any RN's who have been in an MSL role and are now being demoted because they lack the additional education. I'm sorry, but I would rather deal with an advanced degree professional over some snot nosed kid fresh out of school who thinks he/she has it going on because they have a job in pharmaceuticals. I will add there are many 'more seasoned' pharma reps with a 4 year degree who are completely qualified and adept at being an MSL, but unfortunately the KOL's and thought leaders want to deal with a PhD or MD vs an experienced BS. I feel bad for those folks because they are truly qualified.
 






This post shows immaturity on the part of reps AND MSL's. I feel lucky, I have a terrific relationship with my MSL and appreciate their willingness to be a part of the team. There are always times when questions arise that the MSL are just better suited to answer; conversely, there are times when I am better suited to answer. Working in conjunction with an MSL is a win-win situation, and communication is key. To those reps who don't openly communicate with you MSL, you are missing out. To those MSL's who think that reps are a waste, you are also missing out. When you join forces and have a great working relationship, it's nothing short of a win-win situation.
 






Anonymous said:
I disagree that anyone in the sales department of a pharma/bio has an upper hand over an MSL. One of the main reasons is almost all sales reps lack an advanced degree. A Masters is not an advanced degree, just in case anyone is interested or wondering.......Most biotech companies won't hire candidates as MSL's/MSS unless they have an advanced degree. Talk to any RN's who have been in an MSL role and are now being demoted because they lack the additional education. I'm sorry, but I would rather deal with an advanced degree professional over some snot nosed kid fresh out of school who thinks he/she has it going on because they have a job in pharmaceuticals. I will add there are many 'more seasoned' pharma reps with a 4 year degree who are completely qualified and adept at being an MSL, but unfortunately the KOL's and thought leaders want to deal with a PhD or MD vs an experienced BS. I feel bad for those folks because they are truly qualified.
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You are full of you know what......

An advanced degree does include a Master's--especially if you have experience. Last time I checked, and I have personally trained many MSL's including M.D.'s, PERSONALITY is the key in this role. You can be a Ph.D. - but a deadweight personality with customers. I have seen it. That is a negative. There are at least ~20 MSLs in my company. The three highest MSL performers on my team are 1) MS, MBA 2) MSN, MBA, RN and 3) PhD RN

Your theory is shot.
 






overpaid/underpaid... everyone is so grumpy!

what's the average age for an MSL? or years post-doctoral experience prior to obtaining an msl position?

i was just declined an msl position due to "lack of experience".
 












Re: MSL\'s are overpaid and unnecessary

Anonymous said:
i love working w/ my msl but there is one thing that bugs me, he never trys to get appointments on his own, i am required to make them, so i need his calendar and the doctors calendar to line up, i endlessly call and email both aprties back and forth unitl the dates and times work, then something comes up and someone has to cancel and we do it all over again, i wish he would make the appt and then clue me in, i dont even nned to go w/ him, do most msl's make their own appts?
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That is So not right!
You are not his assistant!
Im an MSL and NO MSL I know, including myself, would ever dream of doing that.
I have the outmost respect for most (not all) of the Sales Reps in my territory.
btw... they are almost all senior reps and payed well above my salary (to the one that was whining about an MSL salary being higher that reps).
 






Re: MSL\'s are overpaid and unnecessary

Anonymous said:
I guess what I'm trying to say is that: if an MSL works 2-4 hours per day on average (most stay home on the computer), making around $100,000 in salary, $25,000 bonus, $5-10,000 stock, and then $50,000 in stock options, then they are some of the highest paid people in the industry if you divide their actual "time on the job" (4 hours X 240 working days = around $150-$160/hr). Nice job (not including car/expense/vacation...). In other words, MSL's are overpaid for the ACTUAL amount of work they do!!!!!
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That is SO funny!!!

All MSL's I know push at least 60h per week, at least.. and if you include the constat travel... forget it!
2-4h per day!
Either your trolling or dont know Jack

btw, your numbers on salary etc is WAy of track, I wish you were right!!!!
 






I thank God for my MSL. I have to stick with the package insert, and my MSL can give them the lastest study information that I want to, but can't. MSL's are very valuable, and I incorporate mine into the team. To not utilize your MSL is the height of stupidity (unless they are a loser MSL, which some are, but the majority seem excellent).
 






Anonymous said:
I thank God for my MSL. I have to stick with the package insert, and my MSL can give them the lastest study information that I want to, but can't. MSL's are very valuable, and I incorporate mine into the team. To not utilize your MSL is the height of stupidity (unless they are a loser MSL, which some are, but the majority seem excellent).
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MSLs can be an amazing resource to both our customer base and our internal team. The position, however is not a homogeneous one. The MSL role ranges from glorified sales rep to ivory towered technocrat, and everything in between. For my money, give me someone with an advanced degree and a gift for interpersonal connection OR and a fantastic relationship builder with a passion for science and patient care. I have seen both of these types become incredible resources and effective agents for the companies they work for.
On the other hand, there is no greater waste of funds and people's time than some idiot with an advanced degree that thinks the letters behind his/her name means instant respect is due them. Or some small minded naive bookworm who thinks sales is the "dark side" and doesn't comprehend the correlation between company revenue, and the health/stability of their very own positon. Throw in the dolt from sales that complains about bloated MSL salaries and wonders why their MSL won't sway their key target for them, and you have a rift that develops between MSLs and Sales. What a pointless and wasteful debate! In the end, it's all about putting the right people in positions that suit their backgrounds AND personalities, in my humble but accurate opinion.
Signed,
BS Pharmacist, former MSL, current Sales guy
 






Anonymous said:
MSLs can be an amazing resource to both our customer base and our internal team. The position, however is not a homogeneous one. The MSL role ranges from glorified sales rep to ivory towered technocrat, and everything in between. For my money, give me someone with an advanced degree and a gift for interpersonal connection OR and a fantastic relationship builder with a passion for science and patient care. I have seen both of these types become incredible resources and effective agents for the companies they work for.
On the other hand, there is no greater waste of funds and people's time than some idiot with an advanced degree that thinks the letters behind his/her name means instant respect is due them. Or some small minded naive bookworm who thinks sales is the "dark side" and doesn't comprehend the correlation between company revenue, and the health/stability of their very own positon. Throw in the dolt from sales that complains about bloated MSL salaries and wonders why their MSL won't sway their key target for them, and you have a rift that develops between MSLs and Sales. What a pointless and wasteful debate! In the end, it's all about putting the right people in positions that suit their backgrounds AND personalities, in my humble but accurate opinion.
Signed,
BS Pharmacist, former MSL, current Sales guy
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Amen. The best post I have read on this god forsaken website in 2 years. You should be leading an MSL group.

Signed, current MSL with Sales and marketing experience...
 






I have over 15 years of pharma experience. MSL's are a waste of money, time and productivity. They meet with opinion leaders once every 6 months. Does that really influence their opinion? NO!

If a MSL is not meeting with a KOL what are they doing all day. The MSL job has alot of down time. In fact, it can be a part-time job.
 






Anonymous said:
I have over 15 years of pharma experience. MSL's are a waste of money, time and productivity. They meet with opinion leaders once every 6 months. Does that really influence their opinion? NO!

If a MSL is not meeting with a KOL what are they doing all day. The MSL job has alot of down time. In fact, it can be a part-time job.
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First, it's a shame you wasted 15 years working for companies with no vision. Second, you are obviously trying to make an exaggerated point just for effect. Third, your view of a MSL job description as evidenced by what they should be doing is from 10 years ago, so you may want to get caught up with this decade before you expose your ancient viewpoint. Finally, in the words of Arnold Schwarzennegar, Screw You!
 






Anonymous said:
I have over 15 years of pharma experience. MSL's are a waste of money, time and productivity. They meet with opinion leaders once every 6 months. Does that really influence their opinion? NO!

If a MSL is not meeting with a KOL what are they doing all day. The MSL job has alot of down time. In fact, it can be a part-time job.
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This coming from the guy with a little business degree and 15 years of sample dropping, lunch ordering, visual aid puppeteering experience. Keep on "influencing" chief. You're truly the cream of the pharmaceutical crop.
 






Anonymous said:
I have over 15 years of pharma experience. MSL's are a waste of money, time and productivity. They meet with opinion leaders once every 6 months. Does that really influence their opinion? NO!

If a MSL is not meeting with a KOL what are they doing all day. The MSL job has alot of down time. In fact, it can be a part-time job.
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15 years of working for a pharma company as a janitor in the home office does not qualify you to make judgments on the worth of anyone except the guy who orders the mops, toilet cleaner or brushes.
 






























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