Elio Evangelista Quotations

While all the sub-functions we closely examined in this study are critical to a sound medical affairs effort, we found that research/clinical operations received the most backing from companies. Clearly the sub- function holds great value to medical affairs.

Without a doubt, medical affairs departments are struggling to maintain their strategic impact amid regulatory changes and the introduction of new industry guidelines. With the OIG guidance and the potential effects of Medicare Part D, medical affairs departments have turned to globalization to implement standards of practice across all their organizations.

It doesn't matter whether funding comes from a dedicated budget or from R&D. The trend is to remove funding from commercial ties to better comply with new industry trends. Some companies still rely on marketing or commercial ops for funding, but transition takes awhile, especially with larger companies.

Larger companies do not place as much weight on medical education. Medical education becomes a little fish in a big pond of promotional tools for companies with large portfolios.

Medical affairs groups that have been removed from the grips of commercial bias must look elsewhere for funding. Medical affairs groups are oftentimes receiving their own dedicated budgets.

Portfolio management teams are doomed to failure without adequate support from senior executives. Internal struggles will plague portfolio management groups until their corporate cultures accept their strategic value.