Board certifying medical affairs and medical science liaison professionals is critical to ensure ethical practices, compliance excellence, and public trust at this crucial time. background, so I found the program very helpful. ", Lubna El-Najjar This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. One thing that really stood out was that these industry professionals include Vice Presidents of Medical Affairs, Chief Medical Officers, Medical Science Liaisons and other industry professionals. science liaison to senior leader, you need something extra. No existing program, to my knowledge, covers the spectrum of Medical Affairs and related topics like ACMAs 20 learning modules. The exam has a 3 hour time limit. The ACMAs goal is to establish a common language a standard that medical affairs executives can converse in. With increased scrutiny on pharmaceutical industry practices, ensuring that pharmaceutical companies are validating the knowledge of their field teams in medical affairs and sales is imperative. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. Either way you will be watched and recorded while sitting for the test. But, how do you go about getting certified? The truth is, I had a pretty cushy academic experience. 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. About the MSL-BC. from Asia who were Board Certified, so I decided to complete the program. life sciences & healthcare industries. Cost-benefit comparison As seen in Figure 1, MSL Society's program costs $450-$550, the BCMAS program costs $1,999, and the IFAPP program costs $8,600-$9,600. Grantors always consider if the PI has the experience and resources to get the job done. Others seek to differentiate themselves from their peers. The MSL-BC includes only the certification exam and the onus is on the learner to try and find material to help them prep for the exam. This is rather controversial around here. When comparing both certifications directly a stark contrast can be seen. We have answered the questions, What is an MSL? and talked quite a bit about Medical Liaison Training. Now that we know what a medical liaison is and the different certification programs available for MSLs, you can make a more informed decision on what route is best for you. I'm leaning towards the former. The BCMAS certification has been around since 2015 and the credential is very well recognized and widely used. **application fee must be paid with a credit card or PayPal in US Dollars. 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. Should that be suspected, let me know. Being board certified in any healthcare related career has proven to be impactful. I saw some colleagues Current professionals working in promotional or non-promotional medical education agencies which support pharmaceutical companies. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Have completed at least a bachelors degree and have 2 years relevant professional experience (ie., pharmaceutical industry experience, clinical and/or research experience). The ACMA offers a flexible payment plan where you can pay in 3 easy installments of However, that is no longer debatable as two companies have found a way to make this board certification possible, testing examinees on everything but the science. But comprehensive, accredited, educational programs for medical affairs professionals are few and far between. The remaining 15 items serve as pretest questions, and do not affect your final score. But how do you choose the right MSL Certification for you? BCMAS or Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist is the first and only certified program designed for MSL professionals who want to be a Board Certified MSL. I work for the ACMA social media staff and was made aware of these threads on reddit. Hold an MD, PharmD, PhD, DO, MBBS, DNP, NP, PA, BPharm, PsyD, or other relevant degree from an accredited college, university or institution. It should be stated that all attempts were made to write an unbiased review article, however, only going through 1 of the certification programs and exams may have made it more difficult than expected. But the trend has unmistakably been a steady increase in moving the BCMAS toward the industry standard. Medical science liaisons (MSLs), MSL manager/directors. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) . *If you do not have a terminal degree (i. e. PhD, etc. There are a number of ways you can achieve the same goals (learning what each dept does, scouting opps, boosting credentials, getting the interview) without spending nearly as much money and that are far more useful. I have been getting mixed reviews when asking and thought to ask this community. Thanks for sharing Jill! Thanks, I appreciate the up-to-date info! These officials will discuss the importance of establishing certification and credentialing standards for medical affairs and medical science liaison professionals in the pharmaceutical industry. The BCMAS curriculum is comprehensive spanning 20 modules covering all areas of medical affairs. industry professionals worldwide and therefore improve patient care., Sotirios G. Stergiopoulos My comment continued: I agree with the article, the ACMA module content and exam are not necessarily for entry level professionals. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Individual career development paths is discussed specific to each credential and how board certification is impacting organizations on a macro level. Notwithstanding and beyond the scope of this review but for completeness, both the MSLS and ACMA are worthy non-profit organizations with outstanding missions, prestigious boards of governors and either (or both) is a great choice for a professional membership regardless of which board certification you choose. Bachelors Degree or higher from a regionally or nationally accredited educational institution (a copy of the candidates highest degree or transcript must be provided at the time of registration). Accreditation Council for Medical AffairsStandard of Excellence #BCMAS medicalaffairsspecialist. Those professionals working within clinical development, research & development and are transitioning to a medical affairs role. being easy to digest. The fact that theyre accredited cannot be overemphasized. As for ACMA, the content of modules and associated tools, access to online chat, and opportunity to get board certified, are well worth the cost. The BCMAS program is a globally recognized board certification in over 40 countries. 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. Also, in case there is any concern about MSLS or ACMA influencing how this community is run, rest assured I have no affiliation with either. Listen Now! and be BCMAS.. Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist and transition from retail pharmacy to the pharmaceutical industry. I wanted to work in medical affairs as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) in the pharmaceutical Myth: The National Electrical Manufacturing Association, or NEMA, enclosure standards denote where whole-house surge protectors can be installed. If I have questions while I am learning or need support I can instantly chat with a real person. Of these, 125 questions will be used to calculate your test score. That positive relationship can now be yours in your pharmaceutical medical affairs career. Content is always updated to reflect new business practices, technologies, market challenges and regulatory changes. I hope this article was useful to help you choose which MSL certification is right for you. Emanuel clarified his point: Its an opportunity to do things that you had never considered, or that Tel: +1 (201) 688-2230 Seems like you are jumping the gun a bit. You must log in or register to reply here. Join us for the largest annual conference on pre-market access to medicines. ACMA does not charge any additional fees for retaking the exam if you fail which is nice. 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. We are going to break down the pros and cons of each. The ACMA offers customized training and professional development for MSL teams. With questions looming about whether or not AstraZeneca cherry-picked its COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial data, trust and transparency from pharmaceutical companies about the integrity of their science is front and center. MSL Society is a smaller non-profit organization, so they dont have the bandwidth to provide as much US & global support as the ACMA. I got the weekly newsletters from ACMA and got curious. Records indicate that UpJohn Pharmaceuticals was the first company to coin the term MSL in 1967. I have been authorized to respond as ACMA. Send a powerful message that you have achieved the highest standard of excellence, 90% of BCMAS professionals land the role they want in as little as two months, Build your brand as a subject matter expert with colleagues and HCPs, BCMAS Professionals earn up to 24% more than their peers, Senior Manager, Medical Science Liaison and Clinical Strategy Lead. healthcare & this podcast is a collection of intellectual interviews with leaders 36, Sector 20, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, India - 400 708, Building of Chocoblooms shop,Mezan floor, Office 03United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al-Nahyan. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. and our What do the study materials cost? It is a credential that resonates because of its association with board certified physicians. The Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs is meeting the daily challenge of expanding and level-setting the knowledge base of medical affairs professionals throughout the industry. Hi It is legit. Unfortunately, the MSL Society doesnt have any preparatory content to help learners prepare for the MSL-BC exam. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. taking the board exam. Topics include: As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, The BCMAS program is packed with information about each role within medical affairs, all while Online board certification program meant for medical science liaisons (MSL), medical directors, medical affairs professionals, medical/drug information, HEOR, pharmacovigilance, etc.. Includes 20 preparatory modules, case studies, and practice questions to help you best prepare for the board exam. The BCMAS helped me to tie together my story as a candidate.. *A note from the author: I penned these articles while waiting for my exam results from BCMAS. 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 BCMAS curriculum is comprehensive spanning 20 modules covering all areas of medical affairs. I'll be curious to read this carefully when I have a moment. 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. Medical affairs is the division within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or It's a role which has a tremendous impact on the industry and overall healthcare ecosystem. $700. by Michael Grahame Moore, William G. Anderson. 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. and improve on what I already know regarding Medical Affairs. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The biggest standout feature is the exam structure. The other nice feature is that its a broadly used certification for everyone in medical affairs (including MSLs). MSL-BC is a professional standard developed only for MSLs and MSL managers. Current medical affairs professionals (this includes: medical science liaisons, medical directors, VP Medical Affairs, Medical Information Specialists, Pharmacovigilance, HEOR professionals, etc.). They also give you 20 modules to prepare you. Getting the BCMAS Certification was definitely a major step in my career improve the quality of pharmaceutical Dr. Hughes achieved the Board-Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) certification from ACMA in May of 2021 and believes that it will open new doors and provide her with more in-depth industry training that is needed to excel in the medical affairs career path. in our pharmacy industry. BCMAS offers you more than just the certification exam by including in-depth learning modules, a practice question bank, case studies, and more. 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. 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. It's always a challenge to transition from academia to industry. ACMA works with experts around the world to develop country- and region-specific content within the BCMAS curriculum using advanced geo-redirect technology features. Your email address will not be published. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Online, proctored by a webcam. The BCMAS provided me with a thorough knowledge of medical affairs operations, the life To better understand the overall value of each program it is important to examine what each program provides. Thats not their only reason for getting a BCMAS certification, however. But you can clearly see on our website, our position. Both are official board certifications, not certificate programs meaning the idea isnt to simply learn about being an MSL the goal is to prove you know what the credential specifically implies, BCMAS leaning towards overall medical affairs (MA) and MSL-BC focusing on the MSL career specifically. Addressing everything in one place can help establish a solid foundation, build confidence and competence for individuals and teams. Industry professionals provide a review of the BCMAS program. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. industry. This article is meant to help you make that decision. Obviously don't take my word, do your own research but just my take on the topic. This certificate offers increased industry knowledge and adds a nice certification to your resume. The BCMAS certification is internationally recognized, and achieving the BCMAS . The BCMAS certification has been around since 2015 and the credential is very well recognized and widely used. It would be nice if these questions were available before the exam to help you prepare. ACMA seems a-bit move valid and trustworthy in my opinion. As the U.S. grapples with the deadly opioid epidemic and public outrage over drug costs, One way MSL professionals can stand out is by becoming board certified MSL professionals. Given the requirement facing most CPAs that they complete an average of 40 hours of continuing professional education per year, combined with the flexibility inherent in technologybased training delivery, multimedia continuing professional education courses would seem to hold a definite allure for CPAs. Naturally certain aspects may be less applicable to the unique role of a professional or a company. A quick search of Linked In will show a splattering of the newly developed MSL-BC professionals while a similar inquiry will find a larger number of those with the BCMAS credential many of whom are in more leadership medical affairs positions (the larger number no doubt due to the fact that BCMAS is for all of MA not specifically MSLs and has been around for an extended period of time comparatively). After some controversy, Consists of 140 multiple-choice questions. You can do this by either BCMAS Graduates From Over 200 Companies Certify Your Team Payment Options One-Time Payment Application Fee $49 BCMAS Online Course $1000 Credentialing Fee $150 Examination Fee $800 TOTAL $1999 ACMA Easy Pay (3 Month) Monthly Payment $716.33 / Mo Monthly Installments 3 TOTAL $2149 PayPal CREDIT Financing Organization behind the MSL Certification: How well prepared will I be for the exam. Christine Megalla, Pharm.D., Associate Director of Educational Programs at the Accreditation Council for Basically, its a way to practice before the real test. 700 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 204 Oradell, New Jersey 07649 USA More than ever, confidence in objective, science-based data about therapeutics, such as the COVID-19 vaccine and other health care services, is a shared imperative across the pharmaceutical industry, health care communities, and the American public. You are given 4 attempts to pass the BCMAS. But the BCMAS credential has a unique appeal for medical affairs executives, many of whom dont have a formal medical doctorate. In keeping with this year's emphasis on cloud services, this certification enters this list with a promise to earn its qualifiers an average salary of $142,708. SALARY Inc! The ACMA provides training and certification programs for the pharmaceutical & healthcare industries. an accreditor of medical affairs professionals and pharmaceutical sales representatives hit or miss. Additionally, they also have a dedicated team of advisors to help MSLs every step of the way. Compounded Sterile Preparations Pharmacist, The ACMA, Raising the Standards of Excellence for Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and Medical Affairs Professionals. 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. For more information and recent students testimonials, click here. 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. Hold an MD, PharmD, PhD, DO, MBBS, DNP, NP, PA, BPharm, PsyD, or other relevant degree from an I heard it is becoming the industry standard. Board Certification Medical Affairs (BCMAS), The Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Industry Compliance, Prior Authorization Certified Specialist Program (PACS), The ACMA was invited to Congress. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. How Pharma Industry Leader Suzanne Soliman, PharmD, BCMAS Advocates For Female Pharmacists, medical affairs vs medical science liaison, Medical Affairs and Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Board Certification: A Comprehensive Review, Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS): A Review by Paul Korner, MD, How to Seize New Pharmacy Opportunity in the Pharma Industry, Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs. High performers develop their capabilities to work more effectively in their roles. (1) completing 20 hours of continuing education credits approved by the ACMA or (2) by We hope this MSL article was helpful! 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. Yeah, I'm sure they'll legitimately take your money and give you some extra letters after your name. Everything including the exam fee is ~$1000. Subsequent Examination Attempts (failed exams). Depending on your year of experience in the pharmaceutical, device, and/or diagnostics industry healthcare providers (HCPs). ), 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). is grabbing the attention of politicians and policymakers. In its nearly four years, the ACMA has laid many in-roads into the industry and continues to do so. Youre Certifiable! 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. 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. The ACMA provides training and certification programs for the pharmaceutical & healthcare industries. Thank you for your thorough and thoughtful comments. Therefore, the chances of failing the exam are higher. Curious to know if the BCMAS is worth pursuing? The ACMA welcomes all points of view but we believe it's important to separate fact from fiction. Sitting quietly for hours at a time was at complete odds with my personality. And as that trend continues, medical affairs professionals throughout the life sciences industry will no doubt be better prepared, more confident and, most importantly, more knowledgeable as they approach their roles. This enables MSLs to ask questions any time 7 days a week. I applied to a lot of industry positions in the past and never got an interview. Medical Affairs Career? Recertification Option 2 : Retaking and passing the board exam Shouldn't you get your Pharm-D first, before you get "BCMAS" certified? in our pharmacy industry. I have a clinical By looking at the job postings it seems this certification is meaningless. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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 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. So BCMAS applies to several roles in pharma-not just MSL jobs. I agree with you but don't you think that the topics they cover could at least give you some knowledge about the field which could potentially help in getting your foot in the door? Hi. You're either a spammer, or a sheep. Online, proctored by a webcam. Currently the only accredited board certification for MSLs worldwide. Both your newly hired and experienced MSLs will benefit from this training with topics that include: Help your MSL team understand the changing landscape when working with different internal and external stakeholders. meet great people and appreciate the continued online education available. Considering Medical Science Liaison Training Certification. This level of support is something MSLs engaged in e-learning will really appreciate and value. I have worked in medical affairs for 3 years and I still felt like I learned a lot. The MSL-BC contains only an exam and has no preparatory content or material . Do you need prior experience before taking this? The Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs and MSL Society. We cannot control how people decide to leverage their certification. Such a great foundation for someone new to pharma. Growing need for medical affairs certification. Additionally, we use PayPal, so you can always use PayPal credit if you qualify. You do not need prior industry experience but you do need to have a pharmd/phd/md/do etc. One way MSL professionals can stand out is by becoming board certified MSL professionals. While the BCMAS program offers some great features, the 20 modules the ACMA includes to help MSLs prepare for the exam are definitely a great standout feature. Your email address will not be published. BCMAS Certification Associated preparation for each exam varies greatly. Specially during pandemic times MSL community has opportunity of BCMAS certifications to broaden the knowledge base. 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. MSLs have advanced scientific training and academic credentials generally consisting of a Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS), Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Certification Review: Comparing the BCMAS vs. MSL-BC Certification. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.