The "Elevate" by MAPS Podcast

In this second podcast on the EUMDR, panelists John Pracyk, MD, PhD, MBA, Worldwide Integrated Leader, Medical Affairs, Pre-Clinical & Clinical Research, DePuy Synthes - Spine | Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies welcomes Philip Desjardins, JD, Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs Spine and Medical Device Regulatory Policy, DePuy Synthes | Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, and Drilon Saliu, PharmD, MBA, Head, Medical, Clinical and HEOR, Connected Care, Philips, continue their comprehensive discussion of: Covid’s impact on EUMDR; USFDA and EUMDR global regulator comparison; short and long term impacts; how Brexit might impact the UK’s regulatory oversight; the importance of investing in top talent; new capabilities that are required; the importance of leading with influence; and, evidentiary compliance planning and budget impact.

Host John Pracyk, MD, PhD, MBA, Worldwide Integrated Leader, Medical Affairs, Pre-Clinical & Clinical Research, DePuy Synthes - Spine | Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies welcomes Philip Desjardins, JD, Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs Spine and Medical Device Regulatory Policy, DePuy Synthes | Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, and Drilon Saliu, PharmD, MBA, Head, Medical, Clinical and HEOR, Connected Care, Philips, to share insights into the importance of compliance with the new European Device Medical Regulation (EUMDR), including key deadlines for compliance. 

What does it take to go from an external deep subject matter expert to an internal medical expert? Specializing in one area may limit your ability to transition from one therapeutic area to another; making this adjustment requires the ability to take a risk, the skills to gain trust, and comfort with admitting the limitations of your skill sets.  

Teams are traditionally smaller in MedTech than in Pharma. In MedTech companies, the MA professional may be asked to manage smaller teams and broader areas of responsibilities. This may be the case if you work for a smaller Pharma company, but larger Pharma companies may require more focused responsibilities. 

Do you possess the ability to empathize, but also the business acumen to understand your audience? MA professionals interact with a variety of stakeholders, so you must possess the skills necessary to be relatable and to present information in a meaningful way to a wide audience. 

While there are similarities in decision making between Pharma and MedTech, it can be difficult to get face time with physicians but is still relatively easy to get face time with surgeons particularly when the medical technology is more complex. Asking what success looks like to the patient is a critical element in a successful career transition.

If you’re considering a career transition, asking: “What’s in it for me?” is just as important as “What’s in it for the company?” During this podcast, Dr. Rubinstein asks the panelists, Dr. Sean Lilienfeld and Huub Kreuwel, why they considered making the change from one area to another. The potential for expanding your skillsets is an important consideration but it is not the only one.

Hosts John Pracyk, MD, PhD, MBA, Worldwide Integrated Leader, Medical Affairs, Pre-Clinical & Clinical Research, Depuy Synthes - Spine | Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies and Marc Rubinstein, MD, Medical Director at Instrumentation Laboratory, welcome panelists Huub Kreuwel PhD, Vice President of Scientific and Medical Affairs at Octapharma, and Sean Lilienfeld MBBCh, MMEd(Neuro), FCP (Neuro), FAAN, a neurologist by training, and currently Vice President of Global Medical Affairs Clinical Operations, Pre-Clinical Research, and Clinical Strategy at Boston Scientific, two professionals who have successfully transitioned careers between MedTech and Pharma, and reciprocally, Pharma and MedTech.

Ralph Rewers, PharmD, AbbVie’s Global Head, Field Medical Excellence pulled together a group of experts who will discuss the differences in the types of Field Medical that they’re looking to hire. This panel at the Field Medical session on March 8 in Miami includes Nancy Ortiz, PharmD, Executive Director, GMA & Field Medical at Stonebridge Biopharma, Steve McLaughlin, Regional Director, US Rare Disease Field Based MSLs, Sanofi Genzyme and Brooke M. Kim, RN, BSN, MSM who serves as the AbbVie National Director, Oncology Field Medical. The podcast will highlight topics to be discussed, such as rotational assignments, career ladders, and internal and external engagements 

Change is the only constant in the MSL role. Panelists at the session of the March 8 Field Medical Program in Miami will prepare attendees by discussing influences on the MSL role, the rationale for emerging Field Medical roles, and key skill sets to ensure success. Speaking will be: John Pracyk, MD, PhD, MBA, DePuy Synthes – Spine, Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, Worldwide Integrated Leader, Medical Affairs, Pre-Clinical & Clinical Research, Chris Brock, PharmD, Field Based Medical Affairs Head, Respiratory at GlaxoSmithKline, Joseph Medicis, PharmD Executive Director and Head of Medical Affairs at Allena Pharmaceuticals, Michelle Powell, PharmD, Director, Field Medical Excellence, Astellas Pharma Global Development and Kyle Kennedy, VP, Customer Strategy at The Medical Affairs Company.