The Future of Medical Affairs

Medical affairs will progress and increase in importance in the future as the industry faces increasing regulatory, technological, and commercial challenges. 

Here are some trends and/or advances in medical affairs that we can expect:

Increased focus on patient-centered care: Medical affairs will play a critical role in ensuring that pharma companies center the needs and well-being of patients in their work.

Greater use of technology: The use of technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, will increase in medical affairs. This will help improve processes, facilitate data-driven decisions, and enhance interactions with healthcare professionals.

Here is an example of how AI is already helping:

• ChatGPT can analyze large amounts of data, such as genetic and clinical trial data, to identify potential drug targets and predict drug efficacy.
• ChatGPT can assist with virtual screening and de novo drug design by predicting the structure and properties of potential drug molecules.

Continued growth of real-world evidence (RWE): RWE (clinical evidence regarding the use, potential benefits, and/or risks of a medical therapy) is expected to become even more prevalent in the pharmaceutical industry, and medical affairs will be central in its collection, analysis, and dissemination.

Increased emphasis on transparency and ethics: Medical affairs will play a key role in ensuring that pharmaceutical companies adhere to high standards of ethical behavior.

More emphasis on post-approval research: Medical affairs will be involved in the planning and execution of post-approval studies to monitor the safety and effectiveness of drugs once they reach the market.

In summary, medical affairs will continue to remain relevant by concentrating on patient-centered care, technology, transparency, ethics, and post-approval research.

[Source Material: A Vision for Medical Affairs in 2025, McKinsey & Company and Four Medical Affairs Trends for 2023 and Beyond, ACMA.]