Drug Evaluation Committee Leaflet: What is Medical Affairs (MA) in Pharmaceutical Companies?
Medical Affairs Subcommittee
March 2025
Various activities are being conducted by pharmaceutical companies through the establishment and staffing of organizations that perform the medical affairs (MA) function in pharmaceutical companies. In the course of promoting these activities, the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) has formulated the "Basic Approach to MA Activities" and the "Direction to be taken by Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs)". However, as a relatively young organization and function, the reality is that some stakeholders, including medical professionals, do not fully understand the role of MAs.
In light of this background and current situation, the JPMA Drug Evaluation Committee, MA Subcommittee, Continuing Task Force 1 (KT1) in 2024 prepared a leaflet to help employees of JPMA member companies explain MA activities to stakeholders such as medical professionals, and released the A4 version (Ver. 1) in January 2025. The A4 version (Ver. 1) was released in January 2025. In addition to the A4 version, we have also prepared a 16:9 version for presentation on tablet devices. In conjunction with the creation of the 16:9 version, the A4 version has been updated to the A4 version (Ver. 1-1), so please use the A4 version (Ver. 1-1) as your future A4 version.
This leaflet provides an overview of MA activities with reference to the "Basic Approach to MA Activities" and "Re-thinking the Value of Pharmaceutical Products" published by JPMA, etc. We hope that each member company will use this leaflet to introduce the basic role of MA activities in interviews, education and training sessions, etc. We hope that each member company will find it useful in introducing the basic roles of MA activities at interviews, education and training sessions, etc.
This leaflet is intended only as a basic overview of MA roles, functions, etc. Since the organizational structure and activities of MAs may vary from company to company, please make use of this leaflet with supplemental or detailed explanations as necessary.
JPMA assumes no responsibility for any damages resulting from its use.