The role of the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is booming worldwide MSLs act as the bridge between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers, offering scientific expertise, educating doctors, and influencing prescribing patterns.
The trend is clear: Pharma industries want professionals with strong drug knowledge + communication skills + clinical understanding. That combination perfectly describes PharmDs.
In India and other developing countries, PharmDs often face frustration in hospital settings due to limited prescribing authority and lack of recognition. Meanwhile, the MSL role offers global exposure, higher pay packages, flexible career mobility, and a seat at the decision-making table of drug launches.
This raises a big question for the future of PharmD education:
Should we stop forcing the clinical dream and instead train PharmDs in medical writing, networking, pharma strategy, and communication?
Or should we fight harder to secure prescribing rights and a stronger clinical role in hospitals?
What do you think?
Will PharmDs make bigger impact in hospitals or as MSLs in pharma industries?
Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are specialists often PharmD, PhD, or MD who connect drug companies and health experts, sharing clinical insights back and forth. In fact, around 25â30% of MSLs hold a PharmD, especially in regions like the U.S. and Australia. Many pharmacy graduates are now entering fields like MSL roles, pharmacovigilance, and clinical research.
PharmDs are increasingly being hired as Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) rather than solely remaining in traditional clinician roles, a trend especially evident in both India and global pharma markets.
This is a very relevant question for the future of PharmDs.
In countries like the US, PharmDs thrive in clinical roles, but in India and many developing regions, the lack of prescribing authority limits their impact in hospitals. On the other hand, the MSL role is exploding â it values exactly what PharmDs are trained in: deep drug knowledge, patient understanding, and the ability to communicate science effectively.
But I donât think it should be an âeither/orâ debate. PharmDs should be trained with a dual mindset:
Clinical foundation â so they can provide evidence-based care whenever the system allows them.
Industry readiness â skills in communication, networking, medical writing, and pharma strategy to open global MSL opportunities.
In short: PharmDs donât need to âgive upâ the clinical dream, but they also shouldnât limit themselves to hospitals alone. The real power lies in versatility â being able to heal patients and shape the future of medicines
I feel in India, the MSL role is still in its early stagesâhighly valued by pharma companies but largely invisible to the public. If patient understanding, empathy, and shared decision-making are not part of training (usually included for clinicians/medical students/medicine and allied fields), how is prescribing authority then justified? Instead why is such an important role not being utilized for generating more evidence-based medicine/therapeutics?
This post really speaks to the reality many PharmD graduates face. In India, clinical roles are still limited, and that makes the MSL path look more promising. MSLs get global exposure, better pay, and real influence in pharma decisions. But giving up the clinical dream feels toughâwe studied hard for it. Maybe the solution is balance: train PharmDs in communication and strategy while still pushing for clinical respect. That way, weâre ready for both worlds. The impact depends on how the system evolves, but we deserve more choices and recognition.
With their strong foundation in pharmacotherapy and communication, PharmDs are increasingly sought after as Medical Science Liaisons. While they may not replace clinicians, they bring unique expertise in drug knowledge, bridging the gap between research, industry, and clinical practice.
PharmD can shine in both, but right now, MSL roles offer more growth, pay, and recognition. Hospitals still limit their role. So, training in pharma skills might bring faster impact and better career paths.
Right now ,in India PharmDs are not the first preference for medical science liaisons compared to clinicians . But the trend is changing slowly and pharmDs who build strong clinical , communication skills maybe with additional certifications have a good chance to break in .
Pharma industries provides global exposure and recognition for pharmDs. While in clinical settings pharmds are facing insults, less prescribing authority. Though we fight government will not recognise the value of pharmds.
Pharmacy practice is still in the initial stages of development in India, but launching of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) study program has brought serious discussions about clinical pharmacy in the country. As the profession is in budding stage in the country, the patients, physicians, nurses, other healthcare providers, recruiters in pharmaceutical industries, prospective students, and their parents have numerous questions about this profession and study course. The objective of this article is to create awareness about clinical pharmacy services (CPS) and to introduce the role of clinical pharmacists (CPs).
In countries like the US, PharmDs thrive in clinical roles, but in India and many developing regions, the lack of prescribing authority limits their impact in hospitals. On the other hand, the MSL role is exploding â it values exactly what PharmDs are trained in: deep drug knowledge, patient understanding, and the ability to communicate science effectively.