sciences industry, cross-functionality within life science companies and the regulatory and ethical requirements of medical science liaisons. One way MSL professionals can stand out is by becoming board certified MSL professionals. The MSL-BC contains only an exam and has no preparatory content or material to help individuals prepare. The ACMA is building further awareness of the important contributions that medical science liaisons make in advancing the science which ultimately improves the quality of life of patients. The BCMAS certification is the most comprehensive Medical Affairs professional development and training program in the world. You can do this by either And often, medical affairs executives get so engrossed in their day to day activities that its challenging to gain a deep understanding of how other departments and functions operate, let alone train another colleague on these functions. 700 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 204 Oradell, New Jersey 07649 USA You are using an out of date browser. In a nutshell, this program gave me an in-depth perspective on the dynamic role a medical science liaison plays in scientific exchange and data generation. Hello, can you please tell me if you took the certification and did it help you? We are going to break down the pros and cons of each. Get your Medical Science Liaison (MSL) & medical affairs team COVID-19 ready, Ensure compliant & ethical field medical affairs team interactions during COVID-19, Enhance trust with the medical (and patient) communities and your accredited medical affairs and Medical Science Liaison (MSL) team. You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. This demonstrates the prestigious connotation associated with the BCMAS mark. Many pharmaceutical industry futurists believe that certification and credentialing via the BCMAS program will be the norm in years to come as regulators push for higher standards of excellence in the pharmaceutical industry, which has received negative attention due to the opioid crisis and other debacles in years past. In regard to the value they deliver to our field however, the fees are within acceptable budget for training and development, and far less than what one may pay to participate in other Medical Affairs industry programs. Consists of 140 multiple-choice questions. It is designed to recognize excellence among those who wish to specialize as experts in medical affairs. This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. and our The biggest standout feature is the exam structure. The MSL-BC allows up to 4 hours for the 140-question multiple choice exam (of which 125 count toward your mark). The BCMAS program is the most comprehensive educational program for medical affairs professionals and unlike other training programs that may be available; it is the only one that is accredited. MSL Society is a smaller non-profit organization, so they dont have the bandwidth to provide as much US & global support as the ACMA. 20 modules to prepare you for the Board Examination, Practice Question Bank to help prepare you for the BCMAS exam, Assistance with connections to MSL & Medical Affairs Recruiters, ACMA Easy Pay 3 Month-Installment Option (This gives you the option of splitting the payments over 3 months which is great especially for folks starting out and looking for financial flexibility. Current professionals working in promotional or non-promotional medical education agencies which support pharmaceutical companies. I recently completed and passed. The CompTIA A+ certification requires two exams. Google Cloud - Cloud Digital Leader. Privacy Policy. And going from a medical and the functions which you have worked before, you may find some modules more familiar and medical affairs professionals. I strongly encourage all Records indicate that UpJohn Pharmaceuticals was the first company to coin the term MSL in 1967. Should that be suspected, let me know. ACMA works with experts around the world to develop country- and region-specific content within the BCMAS curriculum using advanced geo-redirect technology features. I hope this article was useful to help you choose which MSL certification is right for you. For more information, please see our Medical Science Liaison, Neurology Western Canada. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist is quickly becoming the industry standard for medical affairs professionals to attain. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. How one pharma vet helped create the first industry-wide training standards for aspiring The other challenge is if you have a higher chance of failing; you are then paying twice for the exam which eventually adds up and make it very similar in pricing to BCMAS (which allows 4 exam retakes in the initial cost). Unfortunately, the MSL Society doesnt have any preparatory content to help learners prepare for the MSL-BC exam. This number is inclusive regardless of the name du jour from an individual company to include: Regional Scientific Director, Clinical Liaison, Thought Leader Liaison, Field Medical Director etc. The ACMAs goal is to establish a common language a standard that medical affairs executives can converse in. I believe it in. Press J to jump to the feed. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist or BCMAS is a credential that goes right up there next to your name after MD, DO, PhD or PharmD. Hi-- I am planning to take it as well. Everyone approaches the board certification process for different reasons. Medical Liaisons help to ensure that products are utilized appropriately. I learned so much last night from the free courses with a certificate to-show-at-the-end offered by NIH office of clinical research too. Theyre also accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education & Training/American National Standards Institute (IACET/ANSI) and they even offer CME/CE to US Licensed Physicians and Pharmacists who decide to complete the modules for the BCMAS program. Hi I just signed up for the course too. I had to unfollow their updates. But comprehensive, accredited, educational programs for medical affairs professionals are few and far between. Your credential enables career advancement and improves MSL and medical affairs professionals' overall contribution to the lives of patients whom their valued expertise ultimately impacts. It also sets the stage for continual professional development through values centered on lifelong . Speaking for myself, I can already tell a shift in mentality towards clinical development and regulatory affairs following the BCMAS modules. background, so I found the program very helpful. The BCMAS provided me with a thorough knowledge of medical affairs operations, the life According to individuals who have gone through the curriculum and earned their BCMAS, the program meets all of those goals. However, after careful investigation it appears the BCMAS is the only accredited board certification while MSL-BC does not appear to be accredited though nearly 2 dozen respected leaders in medical affairs were apart of the credentialing examination collaboration process (if you are attached to the organization and have more complete information please dont hesitate to reach out for a correction as this specific point was hard to ascertain). It can help you break into a medical affairs role in big pharma or even accelerate your career advancement. For more information and recent students testimonials, click here. I literally knew nothing about how to be an MSL when you got me. MSLs may serve as scientific peers and resources within the medical community, and are scientific experts to internal colleagues at companies. Topics include: As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, The 3 Month (100 Day) MCAT Study Schedule Guide: 2022 Edition, http://www.medicalaffairsspecialist-affairs-specialist-program/exam-information/, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/director-of-medical-affairs-salary-SRCH_KO0,27.htm, https://pharmacy.temple.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements/qara-non-thesis-ms, http://shp.rutgers.edu/dept/biopharma/certificates/, The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist Program (BCMAS) comes to Rutgers University providing a new path forward for scientific and clinical professionals looking to work within the pharmaceutical industry, Opinion on regulatory affairs vs. medical affairs, Regulatory Affairs or Medical Information, All resources are student and donor supported. What do you guys/gals think? which reflect their status as thought leaders within the pharmaceutical industry. To be fair, I will gladly prepare and sit for the MSL-BC if the MSLS would like a follow up article after the fact please contact me. The MSL Society (MSLs) and the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) both offer a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Board Certification. And while some Americans are waiting in line to get their COVID-19 vaccine, others are cautious due to doubts about the rapid vaccine development process and questions that have plagued the FDA about whether clinical data from pharmaceutical companies are being reviewed thoroughly. I have been authorized to respond as ACMA. The MSL-BC contains only an exam and has no preparatory content or material . I assume many are in process of deciding which certification route to take. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. ACMA and The Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) have different board certification credentials and the question becomes which is the right one for each MSL. 1. In 2015, the ACMA developed the first board certification for medical affairs professionals and medical science liaisons known as the Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) program, and it is now considered the industry standard in the pharmaceutical industry. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. How far have you gotten? Anyone working in medical affairs understands that its a highly specialized area. is grabbing the attention of politicians and policymakers. But how do you choose the right MSL Certification for you? I guess you can argue that. so what makes BCMAS so special that you think it's worth thousands of dollars when there are high quality comprehensive free online courses from places like NIH lol? The BCMAS program is the most comprehensive educational program for medical affairs professionals and unlike other training programs that may be available; it is the only one that is accredited. Additionally, they also have a dedicated team of advisors to help MSLs every step of the way. Tel: +1 (201) 688-2230 BCMAS allows up to 3 hours for their four-section exam which includes multiple choice, true/false, select all that apply and case study formatted questions totaling between 90-100 questions. In contrast the MSLS made their program available earlier this year following a reported two-year collaboration process and after passing the MSL professional will be entitled to the credential MSL-BC. An important caveat is that, unlike the BCMAS program, with MSL-BC the additional cost to retake the exam can be as high as $400. MSLs help facilitate research and educate residents/fellows and much more. Are there any online resources that cover all these topics? Nonquantifiables can be extremely important in business terms, but as hinted in the previous section, senior managers tend to focus on the money; often they are less interested in the nonquantifiables. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Medical Affairs Career? The path to becoming an exceptional Medical Science Liaison or Medical Affairs professional starts with BCMAS. Thats not their only reason for getting a BCMAS certification, however. Thank you . One way MSL professionals can stand out is by becoming board certified MSL professionals. Grantors always consider if the PI has the experience and resources to get the job done. We are an accredited organization and take what we do very seriously as it impacts careers, company policies, etc.. You can email us directly at research@acmainfo.org. This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. Are the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) and the board-certified medical affairs specialist (BCMAS) certification legitimate and desired by medical affairs hirers in industry, or is it a scam set up by the Apotheker Group and William and Suzanne Soliman. Medical affairs is a growing component of Some are looking to add to their personal understanding of medical affairs role in the life sciences industry. Medical Affairs as a discipline is accountable to varied deliverables. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) program is the first accredited certification for medical science liaisons and medical affairs professionals in the world. Johnson & Johnson Medical Science Liaison Jamie M. Dettler-Leonard, PhD, BCMAS from provides her review of the BCMAS program on the Pharmacy Podcast Network discussing why BCMAS was worth pursuing. Current medical affairs professionals (this includes: medical science liaisons, medical directors, VP Medical Affairs, Medical Information Specialists, Pharmacovigilance, HEOR professionals, etc.). The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. Listen Now! Thanks for sharing Jill! ACMA seems a-bit move valid and trustworthy in my opinion. (1) completing 20 hours of continuing education credits approved by the ACMA or (2) by I am stuck at home, jobless because of fucking covid.. so though I expand my career. BCMAS was worth it!" Brian Duncan MD, BCMAS Vice President, Medical Affairs . The ACMA is the only organization committed to the medical science liaison profession, which has been featured in mainstream media such as ABC News, Forbes and the Boston Herald. Due to the newness of the certification, there are very few people that have the MSL-BC credential, therefore, it is not well recognized yet. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Subsequent Examination Attempts (failed exams). Christine Megalla, Pharm.D., Associate Director of Educational Programs at the Accreditation Council for We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Our MSL professional development and training solutions are based on real-world experience from professionals with world class MSL experience. Curious to know if the BCMAS is worth pursuing? You do not need prior industry experience but you do need to have a pharmd/phd/md/do etc. All Right Reserved. This certificate offers increased industry knowledge and adds a nice certification to your resume. That positive relationship can now be yours in your pharmaceutical medical affairs career. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. So BCMAS applies to several roles in pharma-not just MSL jobs. Theyre well known for conducting conferences and meetings for MSLs. Youre Certifiable! They do have a chat function but Ive noticed oftentimes its not available every day and at off hours which makes it tough to get answers to important questions. being easy to digest. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. These days, landing an MSL role isnt easy. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Awesome article! Having pre-test questions right before your actual exam feels a bit odd. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) Organization behind the MSL Certification: The ACMA is a globally accredited & recognized organization, they have offices in the U.S., India, Europe, South America and the UAE. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Just perform a quick search for BCMAS on LinkedIn and the results will show the numerous industry professionals using the BCMAS credential in their titles. More important than setting themselves apart from other job seekers or attaching the BCMAS letters to the ends of their names, graduates of the ACMAs program want to demonstrate their commitment to medical affairs. This means that as an MSL, you will consistently reach out to people with the intent to educate them about your company and its products. The BCMAS program connects you to the clinical knowledge real-world experience, and leadership skills needed to be successful within the pharmaceutical industry's clinical medical affairs / MSL space. Your email address will not be published. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a3cb49ddf8da07e17af6d699a0ebe2fc" );document.getElementById("ae49f29f56").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. Apparently there is rumors about him lying and faking his PhD and plagiarizing things from the MSL Institute inside his book. Christine Megalla, Pharm.D., Associate Director of Educational Programs at the Accreditation Council for See previous posts: https://www.reddit.com/r/MedicalScienceLiaison/comments/cfurwp/is_a_bcmas_a_good_idea_if_you_have_no_previous/, https://www.reddit.com/r/MedicalScienceLiaison/comments/diiyry/is_the_bcmas_worth_it/, https://www.reddit.com/r/MedicalScienceLiaison/comments/cnlgqp/how_many_of_you_are_board_certified_by_acma_is/. The ACMA welcomes all points of view but we believe it's important to separate fact from fiction. I'm leaning towards the former. My comment continued: I agree with the article, the ACMA module content and exam are not necessarily for entry level professionals. At this time, its difficult to tell how recognized the MSL-BC mark will become in the future and whether it will stand the test of time. Just talked to some of my colleagues in regulatory affairs who are anywhere from SM to SVP in their respective companies, mostly Temple (. Medical affairs is a growing component of By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Having a professional certification creates a uniform standard of competency and excellence for industry professionals who are responsible for providing critical information to doctors which impacts patient lives. In fact, I completed my PhD in a little over 4 years. you didnt think were possible.. Thats an important differentiator for BCMAS. Now in virtual format. In comparison the BCMAS credential is already being used by professionals from around the world because its been around for several years and industry leaders recognize BCMAS. $700. Staff, Rahm Emanuel, in response to the global financial crisis of 2007/2008. A community for all things affiliated with the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession. What Happened to Expanded Access to New Medicines. Videory can be a good size for data scientists; enough other data scientists are around to provide mentorship and support, but the team is still small enough that you can get to know everyone. Requirements for renewing your BCMAS certification: The BCMAS credential is valid for five (5) years. According to the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA) the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession has exploded to over 3000 MSLs across the country and is still growing. This button displays the currently selected search type. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. It is a credential that resonates because of its association with board certified physicians. The Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) is an organization dedicated to advancing the global MSL profession. To be successful at this, you must always maintain diplomacy, self-discipline, and integrity. It features data and insights from policymakers, industry and academic leaders, and patient advocates working to ensure equity, trust, and excellence in Medical Affairs professional engagements. for the exam. ), Financing Option through PayPal Credit (In partnership with PayPal, the ACMA offers the option for up to one year of financing for professional development and obtain your new MSL certification). The lowest rating is NEMA 1 . Board Certification Medical Affairs (BCMAS), The Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Industry Compliance, Prior Authorization Certified Specialist Program (PACS), The ACMA was invited to Congress. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Physicians, pharmacists, and PhD professionals wishing to transition into the pharmaceutical industry. So, I started looking for other types of positionspositions that would fit my strengths. I am stuck at home, jobless because of fucking covid. so though I expand my career. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In its nearly four years, the ACMA has laid many in-roads into the industry and continues to do so. The BCMAS curriculum is comprehensive spanning 20 modules covering all areas of medical affairs. While some MSLs view MSLS as a valuable resource, it's worth noting that they are not accredited by any outside body. It's a role which has a tremendous impact on the industry and overall healthcare ecosystem. Beyond internal training within their companies, medical affairs executives simply dont have structured options for learning how the different functions within the life science industry interact with each other. I view them as a way to develop and solidify already gained experience. I was looking for avenues where I can learn more and grow in Medical Affairs. New Data From Trials of Evolocumab, Olpasiran Show Promise for Cardiovascular Disease Care, Pharmacy Focus: Public Health Matters - Motivational Interviewing, Avadel Seeks FDA Approval for Sodium Oxybate to Treat Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Independent Rx Forum - Preparing for DIR Fee Changes, COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Found to Protect Infants Against Infection, Hospital Admission, Study: Remote Dietary Intervention May Reduce Chronic Fatigue for Lymphoma Survivors. A quick search on LinkedIn shows just how widely used the credential is among pharmaceutical industry professionals. I spoke to one of their members on their website chat and he was down to earth, he showed me the benefits of the program along with some benefits you attain after completing the program. The exam has a 3 hour time limit. meet great people and appreciate the continued online education available. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Medical Affairs Manager, Upjohn-Pfizer. accredited college, university or institution. BCMAS is indeed a certification relevant & valuable to all involved in Medical Affairs beyond the MSL community. The fact that theyre accredited cannot be overemphasized. Additionally, they also have a dedicated team of advisors to help MSLs every step of the way. I am recommending it for my colleagues as well. The ACMA has been featured in mainstream media such as Fox News, Forbes, Al Jazeera, ABC News, etc..) which reflect their status as thought leaders within the pharmaceutical industry. Those who pass the certification exams will be qualified to solve basic issues in networking, operating systems, security and mobile devices. Specially during pandemic times MSL community has opportunity of BCMAS certifications to broaden the knowledge base. As more medical affairs executives undergo the certification program, theyre seeing the value in it and recommending it to their peers. Part 2 certainly goes into that sort of detail. Still others are looking for a challenge to learn what they dont know. This article is meant to help you make that decision. They also give you 20 modules to prepare you. CompTIA A+ is widely considered one of the go-to certificates for a well-rounded entry-level introduction to IT. Emanuel clarified his point: Its an opportunity to do things that you had never considered, or that Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Myth: 36, Sector 20, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, India - 400 708, Building of Chocoblooms shop,Mezan floor, Office 03United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al-Nahyan. But does that mean anything? Compounded Sterile Preparations Pharmacist, The ACMA, Raising the Standards of Excellence for Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and Medical Affairs Professionals. Theyre well known for conducting conferences and meetings for MSLs. Listen to BCMAS graduates share their stories! This is rather controversial around here. I'll be curious to read this carefully when I have a moment. Regardless of where you are in your MSL career, obtaining an MSL certification can help advance your MSL career and distinguish you among other MSL candidates when applying for a new MSL job or getting that promotion from MSL to MSL Manager or MSL Director.