Job Description
Under the general supervision of the Medical Director and Associate Medical Director Vaccines, the Medical Advisor’s (MA) main activity is executing the medical activities for Vaccines in Serbia but will also be collaborative in regional vaccines medical activities including Alliance market. MA is a collaborative partner with cross functional colleagues including Policy, Market Access and marketing at a country level as well as Outcomes Research Directors and Medical at a regional level.
In compliance with all applicable country regulation and our Company policies and procedures, the MA is responsible for:
- Contributing to short and long-term strategic objectives by optimizing medical and clinical excellence throughout the product lifecycle within the therapeutic area
- Providing medical and scientific advice and input for business strategies, market access and others as required, as well as input into health economics
- Developing Medical Affairs strategy via Medical Affairs Plans for Vaccines in the country and takes appropriate action to ensure proper implementation and appropriate management of budget related to these activities.
- Establishing, managing and owning high level of scientific and clinical interactions with: Scientific leaders, Key Decision makers, investigators, scientific societies
- A major part of the MA role is maintaining high level of scientific interaction with customers, hence at least 50% of the job should be spend on customer interactions in the form of emails, telephone calls, face-to-face meetings whether pre-scheduled (congresses, symposia) or un-scheduled.
- High level scientific and medical/clinical interactions with regulatory and reimbursement authorities.
- Being recognized by customers and colleagues as the Company expert in the Vaccines therapeutic area and training internal colleagues in therapy/data updates as needed.
- Assessing local data gaps and execution of local studies within agreed budget and timelines.
- Supporting regulatory in review of SmPcs and Abbreviated Product information creation
Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Strategic Activities
- Planning and implementation of local Medical Affairs activities within the therapy area. Enhancing company reputation and profile by representing the company in relevant external and internal cross-functional, regional task forces or boards (e.g. internally: Cluster Team, Regional Medical Affairs Team (RMAT)) where relevant and feasible.
- Developing Medical Affairs Plan (MAP) including relevant strategies related to:
- Brand imperatives, key medical activities, outline specifics for the country (e.g. different standard of care, reimbursement timeline different than others, etc.).
- Prioritize and define development areas to meet all scientific- and medical needs and clinical care gaps. Identify scientific leaders and topics for discussion needed, as well as developing tactics including, but not limited to:
- Management and execution of the GMSA portfolio of medical programs and local studies within agreed timelines and budgets
- The planning, initiation and implementation of Local Data Generations (market experience programs/patient programs or other study types initiated locally) including preparation/review of protocols as needed in alignment with product franchise strategy, securing Sr. Management Approval.
- Execution of such programs lies with local clinical operations or externally via CRO (Clinical Research Organizations). MA must secure final clinical study report / manuscript and ensure the publication of LDG.
- Secure input to our Company HQ-sponsored study allocation as well as national our Company site selection and investigators.
- Maintain and update information for local study feasibility on continuous basis and provide timely reply to HQ Request for Information for local study feasibility
- Implementing publication policy for the therapy areas, e.g. securing production of review articles or the like
- Actively search for meetings, symposia, congresses, Continuous Medical Education (CME), research grants/fellowships which could bring additional value to the relevant therapy area
External Scientific and Medical Interaction
- Securing our Company keeps role of scientific leader by developing and managing a frequent and sustained dialogue with scientific leaders, investigators, and speakers.
- Plan and execute national and regional Advisory Boards.
- Contribute to our Company sponsored meetings and CME events, including engaging Scientific Leaders as speakers, development of slide kits and giving own lecture as relevant active participation in symposia and congresses.
- Contribute to formulary and clinical guideline development.
- Provide medical and scientific training and support/advise to internal customers, provide tailored responses to customers’ requests for Medical Information
Internal Scientific and Medical/Clinical Interaction
- Providing medical and scientific training, internal medical expertise, support/advise within the therapeutic area to colleagues regardless of business unit and business function.
- Provide input to Market Access for access plans and programs including pricing, reimbursement and public affairs.
- Providing support to Regulatory department (support in translation checking (SmPC/PIL), DDLs, Safety information/training materials)
- Providing support to Pharmacovigilance (compliance with reporting requirements)
- Ensure clinical and scientific accuracy of promotional materials through effective execution of the worldwide review process.
Skills
- Preferred proficient understanding of the drug development process, relevant diseases and therapies, and the local medical practice
- Demonstrating strong ethics and integrity
- Strategic thinking
- Excellent interpersonal skills related to management of scientific leaders and key decision makers
- Collaborative problem-solving approach
- Excellent presentation skills
- Strong leadership behaviors
- Act with candor and courage; make rapid, disciplined decisions
- Strong stewardship skills
- Team player and ability to work effectively in a matrix organization
- Excellent understanding of core systems, tools, and metrics
- English on proficiency level
Education & Experience
- The position requires either a Medical Degree (preferred) or a PhD/PharmaDr in life science.
Required Skills:
Adaptability, Adaptability, Clinical Reporting, Company Representation, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Data Analysis, Drug Development, Healthcare Education, Health Economics, Life Science, Market Access, Medical Affairs, Medical Communications, Medical Knowledge, Medical Review, Medical Teaching, Medical Writing, Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, Professional Integrity, Project Management, Promotional Review, Regulatory Interactions, Scientific Literature, Stewardship {+ 2 more}
Preferred Skills:
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Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status:
Regular
Relocation:
VISA Sponsorship:
Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Job Posting End Date:
06/30/2026
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