Every quarter, the ACMA updates the Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) curriculum to reflect real-time changes affecting the life sciences industry. This past quarter, we’ve added new content to reflect changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as antikickback statute and Stark Law updates.

The BCMAS program provides an in-depth perspective on the dynamic role that medical affairs play in scientific exchange and data generation. The self-paced, online program encompasses a comprehensive overview of the integral concepts necessary to be successful as a medical affairs professional. The program also includes important topics such as health economics outcomes research, regulatory affairs, clinical trial design, and presentation and communication skills. And it’s the only accredited program of its kind for the life sciences industry.

COVID-19 Content Updates

There isn’t an industry in the world that hasn’t been impacted in some manner by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ACMA captured the changes that this disease has had on the pharmaceutical industry and included it in the BCMAS updated content. For drug and device companies, the pandemic has had a dramatic impact on how medical affairs professionals can interact with healthcare providers (HCPs) and other key stakeholders, such as opinion leaders and external experts.

Much of the change has come in the form of the nature of these HCP interactions. Field medical professionals, such as medical science liaisons (MSLs), have largely made the switch to holding virtual meetings with key opinion leaders. Vitual platforms have seen a sharp rise in usage thanks to the pandemic, and MSLs are making use of tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and many others to continue to build relationships with influential HCPs.

Stark Law & Anti-Kickback Content Updates

In October 2019, the United States proposed changes to the laws prohibiting physicians from profiting off high volumes of referrals. The rollback of these regulations – known as the Stark Law and antikickback statutes – is meant to ease the administrative burdens that healthcare providers face. HCPs and medical groups may also be incentivized to provide more value-based healthcare services.

The Stark Law has had a significant impact on the manner with which drug and device companies have interacted with healthcare providers. It has affected how medical affairs professionals communicate with HCPs, how companies contract physicians for consulting and advisory services and how much they pay these providers. The BCMAS now outlines the changes to the Stark Law and their impact on life sciences companies. These changes won’t take effect until January 2021.

Up-To-Date Professional Development Content

There are more than 5,000 BCMAS professionals around the world today who work in more than 70 countries. Enrolling in the BCMAS ensures you’ll be provided a top-notch, accredited, up-to-date educational program specifically designed to make medical affairs professionals more effective leaders. The ACMA will continue to improve and update the BCMAS curriculum to ensure that medical affairs professionals receive the highest quality development and education about the latest changes impacting the industry.