AI in Action: Practical Applications for Medical Affairs

The daily grind in Medical Affairs

Let’s talk about your typical day. It probably goes something like this:

You start your morning with a mountain of emails. HCPs are asking questions you need a time machine to answer. Your inbox is flooded with the latest research papers – each one claiming to be groundbreaking. Oh, and don’t forget about that upcoming advisory board meeting. You need to be an expert on a topic you just heard about last week.

By lunchtime, you’re swamped with data. You’ve got regulations to follow, reports to write, and stakeholders to please. And just when you think you’ve got a handle on things, someone throws a curveball. A new drug on the horizon? A shift in treatment guidelines? Back to square one.

Sounds exhausting, right? I’ve been there. We all have. It’s like trying to drink from a fire hose while juggling flaming torches. On a unicycle.

But here’s the thing: AI isn’t just another tech fad. It’s not some buzzy term that’ll be old news next quarter. It’s transforming how we work. And I’m going to show you why.

Three ways AI can fill in your process gaps

1. The research whiz

Picture this: You’ve got a big meeting tomorrow. Your manager wants to know everything about a new treatment area. You need to know everything about this topic. Now.

Normally, you’d be pulling an all-nighter, mainlining coffee, and praying to the research gods. But with AI? It’s a whole new ball game.

AI can:

• Read thousands of papers in minutes. Not hours. Not days. Minutes.
• Spot trends and connections that might take you weeks to find.
• Give you clear, concise summaries that actually make sense.

This is already a fast-growing trend in the healthcare sector, with billions being invested into AI medical solutions. Piles of unstructured medical info is being turned into clear, actionable insights.

AI can also help you uncover insights you might have missed. It can connect dots across different studies, spot emerging trends, and even flag potential areas for further research. It’s like having a bird’s eye view of the entire medical landscape.

2. The content genius

Ever wish you could read minds? To know exactly what that key opinion leader wants to hear? What will make that skeptical physician sit up and take notice? Well, AI comes pretty close.

This is all about creating content that hits the mark. Every. Single. Time. No more shot-in-the-dark approaches. No more one-size-fits-all content that doesn’t really fit anyone.

Here’s what AI can do:

• Figure out what works for different audiences. It can analyze engagement data to see what resonates with different HCPs.
• Write first drafts that actually make sense. And are on-brand. And compliant. (I know, it sounds too good to be true.)
• Personalize content for each recipient. Because treating all HCPs the same is so last century.

AI agents are also helping pharma companies talk to HCPs in ways that really resonate. Beyond just creating content, AI can also help you deliver this content at the right time, through the right channel. By integrating with your CRM solution, it can predict when an HCP is most likely to engage, what format they prefer, and what information they’re most interested in.

Imagine being able to give each HCP exactly what they need, when they need it. No more information overload. No more missed opportunities. Just smart, targeted communication that gets results.

3. The time wizard

Wouldn’t it be nice to have more hours in the day? To be able to focus on the big-picture stuff instead of getting bogged down in the day-to-day grind? AI can’t quite bend time, but it comes pretty close.

We’re talking about:

• Automating the boring bits of pharmacovigilance. No more sifting through mountains of reports to spot potential issues.
• Spotting potential regulatory issues before they happen. It’s like having a crystal ball for compliance.
• Answering the same old questions without losing your mind. AI can handle routine queries, freeing you up for the more complex stuff.

Real-world data (RWD) and post-marketing surveillance are becoming essential tools in the pharmaceutical industry. These AI-powered approaches allow for the continuous monitoring of drugs after they hit the market, leveraging various data sources such as electronic health records, social media, and patient forums. This provides insights into adverse events and drug safety in a broader patient population, addressing the limitations of clinical trials, which often involve controlled environments and smaller sample sizes

AI is crucial in this, as it can provide a forward-looking alternative to traditional methods, enabling proactive risk management and quicker identification of potential safety issues.

“Do I really need this AI stuff?”

I hear you. Change is scary. New tech can be intimidating. But let me ask you this:

Are you drowning in inefficiency? Do you spend more time searching for information than actually using it? Are you really using all your data, or is most of it just sitting there, untouched?

Are you still using a one-size-fits-all approach in a field that demands personalization? Can you honestly say you’re giving each HCP exactly what they need?

If you hesitated on any of these, it’s time to think about AI.

Remember, AI isn’t here to replace us. It’s not job elimination or making humans obsolete. It’s here to help us do what we do best – innovate, strategize, and make a real difference for patients.

AI can handle the routine stuff, the data crunching, the repetitive tasks. This frees us up to focus on what really matters. To think creatively. To solve complex problems. To build relationships.

In other words, AI lets us be more human.

How to get started (without freaking out)

Ready to try AI? Here’s how to begin without giving yourself (or your IT department) a panic attack:

1. Find your pain points: What’s driving you crazy? What tasks eat up most of your time? What do you dread doing? Start there. AI is great at tackling repetitive, time-consuming tasks.
2. Start small: You don’t need to overhaul your entire operation overnight. Pick one thing to try AI on. Maybe it’s literature reviews. Maybe it’s HCP engagement. Choose something concrete and measurable.
3. Clean up your data: AI needs good data to work. It’s like fuel for a car. Take some time to tidy up your data. Make sure it’s accurate, organized, and accessible. Future you will thank the present you for this.
4. Bring your team along: Some people find AI scary. They might worry it’ll make their jobs obsolete. Show them how it’ll make their lives easier. How it’ll free them up to do more interesting work. Maybe throw in some pizza to sweeten the deal.
5. Keep improving: Set clear goals for your AI project. What does success look like? Be ready to adjust as you go. AI is powerful, but it’s not magic. It needs fine-tuning and oversight.

Remember, implementing AI is an ongoing process. It’s okay to start small and scale up. It’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. The important thing is to start.

The bottom line: Change or get left behind

I get it. Change is hard. It’s comfortable sticking with what we know. But here’s the truth: Medical Affairs is changing fast. The amount of data we need to deal with is growing. The demands on our time are increasing. The need for personalization is growing.

Those who adapt will thrive. They’ll be able to work smarter, not harder. They’ll be able to provide insights and value that set them apart.

Those who don’t… well, let’s just say they might end up as relevant as a pager in 2023.

AI in Medical Affairs isn’t just a shiny new toy. It’s not a luxury. It’s becoming a necessity. It’s a powerful tool that can help us be better at our jobs. It can help us make more informed decisions, work more efficiently, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

And isn’t that why we’re all here?

So, what’s it going to be? Are you ready to give AI a shot? Or are you going to be the last person still using a flip phone in a world of smartphones?

Let me know what you think. Are you already using AI in your work? Got any cool stories to share? Or maybe you’re still not sure. Maybe you’ve got concerns or questions.

Let’s talk about it. Share your thoughts in the comments. After all, that’s one thing AI can’t do better than us… yet. The ability to share experiences, to learn from each other, to have real conversations – that’s all human. And it’s what makes our field so exciting.

So come on, let’s shape the future together. Who knows? With AI by our side, we might just change the world.