Medical Science Liaison, Rare Disease

JOB TITLE  

Medical Science Liaison – Rare Disease, Hematology and Nephrology

Location: Kuwait

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

ROLE SUMMARY

AstraZeneca is accelerating the expansion of our geographical footprint in rare diseases following the acquisition of Alexion in 2021. Rare disease is a high-growth therapy area with rapid innovation and significant unmet medical need. Over 7,000 rare diseases are known today – yet less than 1% of them have an approved treatment.

As we build our position as a Rare Disease leader, we seek a Rare Disease Medical Science Liaison to join our Medical Affairs team in Kuwait.

As a Medical Science Liaison – Rare Disease you'll play a pivotal role in channelling our scientific capabilities to bring an important new therapy in a rare disease setting into clinical practice, making a positive impact on patients' lives.

The Medical Science Liaison – Rare Disease is a professional with scientific, clinical and therapeutic area expertise responsible for providing medical and scientific support to healthcare professionals aligned to the use of medicines in our combined rare disease portfolio. You will report into the Medical Manager, Rare Disease.

In this role you will be expected to identify and cultivate relationships with HCPs working in the field including physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and pharmacists as well as other key strategic partners, such as patient advocacy groups. You will conduct educational programs on disease state and the appropriate use of our medicines, consistent with Medical Affairs plans and objectives. You will also respond to customer inquiries to ensure focused clinical and scientific information that supports the appropriate use of these medicines.

Additionally you will deliver clinical and scientific information to support appropriate use of the medicine in the relevant therapy area in a patient focused manner; maintain expertise in disease state management, keep abreast of emerging therapies and the therapeutic landscape; gather customer insights regarding the use of the medicine in the wider therapeutic landscape to help inform medical and commercial strategies while adhering to internal standards, processes and complying with regulatory and compliance requirements.

What you’ll do

Build, enhance, maintain advocacy of Key External Experts (KEEs)

• Identify, prioritize, and expand KEEs to include non-traditional stakeholders (E.g. policy and decision makers, payer groups, government, researchers, and others) based on scientific/clinical expertise and practice change influence within a specific hospital and institution/ authorities, and engage in robust scientific discussions and medical advancements in a balanced, objective, and accurate way.
• Identify, and prioritize accounts based on patient care pathway and map the multidisciplinary team and maturity.
• Provide AZ with an understanding of the local medical community, clinical practice trends, HCP insight and real or perceived gaps in current scientific knowledge, patient journey, and disease management.
• Foster scientific partnerships with KEEs to help advance disease understanding and to achieve evidence-based changes in medical practice that are consistent with Medical Affairs strategy & objectives, such as:

  Interact in the field with the medical community in the context of various medical projects such as clinical trials, Non-Interventional Studies, Investigator Sponsored Studies (ISSs), scientific exchange.

  
  

  Identify potential speakers and train speakers as appropriate for local events.

  
  

  Provide recommendations for advisory board / round table discussion participants and serve as faculty/facilitators for advisory board meetings.

  
  

  Present scientific data to HCPs in both group (Medically led meetings) and one on one setting.

  
  

  Facilitate continuing medical education events for HCPs.

  
  

  Support evidence generation in the region aligned with the medical strategy of disease area and product.

  
  

Build and implement scientific programs to address unmet medical needs in rare hematology and nephrology therapy areas

• Collect and share actionable insights that enhance the value and appropriate use of AZ products and disease management to internal stakeholders.
• Engage in strategic planning meetings and medical-scientific presentations with medication access stakeholders, institutional decision makers and other external stakeholders to drive better clinical decisions and enhance medication accessibility within the assigned hospital or institution.  These discussions are scientific in nature and must be clearly separated from promotional and/ or other business discussions.
• Organize and facilitate scientific events on healthcare institutions and their multi-disciplinary teams related to the therapeutic area to ensure holistic approach to patient care within their hospital and institution.
• Embed a comprehensive healthcare system and patient experience understanding in prioritized hospitals and institutions to transform care and improve patient outcomes.

Act as scientific expert in rare hematology and nephrology therapy areas for internal stakeholders.

• Demonstrate expertise and knowledge of AZ products, emerging therapies, competitors, patient and treatment trends, clinical trials, and scientific activities within the disease area and continuously updates this expertise and knowledge.
• Provide the AZ internal stakeholders with an understanding of the local medical community, clinical practice, trends and real or perceived gaps in current scientific knowledge and medical treatment options/ guidelines through periodic therapeutic area and product trainings.
• Provide scientific support at AZ sponsored educational events.
• Plan and execute regional medical activities during the product launch processes.

Medical Information

• Respond to unsolicited requests for information about unapproved AZ products or unapproved uses of approved products, presenting such information in an objective, well balanced, substantiated manner that is scientific in tone and content, free of promotional messages, truthful, and is not misleading.
• Demonstrate appropriate response and documents the provision of accurate, scientific data in response to unsolicited scientific questions posed by healthcare providers with Company Policies, and applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.

Only Applications in Kuwait will be considered.

Essential for the role

• Bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, Pharmacology.
• Experience in rare disease therapeutic area is highly regarded.
• 2+ years of experience in the Pharmaceutical industry or equivalent
• Demonstrated expertise in synthesizing scientific information and communicating it effectively at peer level with HCPs.
• Excellent ability to learn and capacity for scientific concepts and knowledge.
• Previous experience in field medical role is encouraged
• Experience in hematology, nephrology, oncology, rare disease and/or critical care specialties are highly regarded.
• Direct patient care experience or equivalent experience in the pharmaceutical industry
• Strong presentation skills - effectively communicating medical data/concepts
• Excellent computer skills (Excel, Word, Power Point, etc.)
• Excellent project management ability
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong leadership capabilities with the ability to work independently

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth, and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

So, what’s next?

• Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you.
• Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours.

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn

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Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.