Medical/clinical science liaisons represent an essential link between manufacturers and customers by objectively communicating complex scientific information to demonstrate product value. HIRC's report, Best in Class Medical/Clinical Science Liaison Customer Insights, provides nominations of the best medical/clinical science liaisons, as well as the descriptive factors that operationally define the best-in-class. The report addresses the following questions:

• Which very large, large and mid-size firms' medical/clinical science liaisons receive the most best-in-class nominations?
• Which medical/clinical science liaison attributes operationally define the best-in-class?
• How do managed markets customers expect the role of medical/clinical science liaisons to evolve?
• Which key issues should medical/clinical science liaisons be prepared to discuss in 2020 from the customer's perspective?

Key Finding: To foster relationships, managed markets panelists expect medical/clinical science liaisons to discuss (1) actionable "real world" data to prove value of products, (2) comparative effectiveness research, and (3) a full range of therapy options & standard of care.

Medical/Clinical Science Liaisons from Boehringer Ingelheim are Most Frequently Nominated as Best-in-Class. HIRC queried 91 commercial health plan and pharmacy benefit manager key decision-makers to learn which pharmaceutical firms' medical/clinical science liaisons are best-in-class. Boehringer Ingelheim leads with the most best-in-class nominations from managed markets customers, followed by Johnson & Johnson HCS, Novartis, and Novo Nordisk.

The full report provides a complete listing of best-in-class medical/clinical science liaison nominations as well as the rationale behind the nominations.

Five Factor Categories Operationally Define Best-in-Class Medical/Clinical Science Liaisons. Managed markets customers were asked to explain their rationale for best medical/clinical science liaison nominations. Analyses reveal that their evaluations fall within five key descriptive factor categories: (1) Knowledge, (2) Role Expectation, (3) Relationship Management, (4) General Impressions, and (5) Interpersonal & Social Skills.

The best medical/clinical scientific liaisons are often described as (1) demonstrating deep product knowledge, (2) acting as information providers of best practices, market intelligence, and clinical insights, and (3) demonstrating knowledge of customers' business model, strategic imperatives, and operational needs.

Research Methodology and Report Availability. In December 2019 and January 2020, HIRC surveyed 91 key decision-makers from commercial health plans and pharmacy benefit managers. Online surveys and follow-up telephone interviews were used to gather information. The complete report, Best in Class Medical/Clinical Science Liaison Customer Insights, is available now to HIRC’s Best Programs and Best People subscribers at www.hirc.com.