cannabisbusinessinsights.comAUGUST-SEPTEMBER 20258IN MY OPINIONThrough this article Zdon highlights how Medical Affairs is evolving into a key strategic player in the pharmaceutical industry. He encourages General Managers to embrace this change by involving MA early in planning and launch processes. Feedback from industry leaders across Australia and New Zealand reinforces MA's impact in fostering trust, sharing insights and guiding better decisions.As the pharmaceutical industry faces increasing complexity and scrutiny, the role of Medical Affairs is emerging as a cornerstone of strategic leadership.This perspective is reinforced by a recent publication in Pharmaceutical Medicine (May 2024), titled "How Can General Managers Best Leverage Medical Affairs Now and in the Future", which draws on insights from a targeted survey of nine General Managers and nine Business Unit Directors across 13 pharmaceutical companies in Australia and New Zealand (AUNZ). The findings offer a timely and compelling roadmap for how leadership can unlock the full potential of Medical Affairs (MA) in both current and future contexts.In the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical innovation, the role of MA has undergone a profound transformation--from a compliance-focused support function to a strategic pillar within the enterprise. With the increasing complexity of therapeutics, the demand for real-world evidence (RWE) and the growing emphasis on corporate reputation, MA is uniquely positioned to lead--not just support--strategic initiatives that drive patient outcomes and organizational success.From Support to StrategyHistorically, MA was tasked with reviewing promotional materials and ensuring compliance. Today, it is a multifaceted function that engages with key opinion leaders (KOLs), generates RWE, supports early access programs and shapes policy through scientific partnerships. This evolution is driven by trends such as precision medicine, AI-powered diagnostics and the decentralization of healthcare.ELEVATING MEDICAL AFFAIRS--A STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE FOR GENERAL MANAGERSBy Jon Zdon, Head Medical Governance, Evidence and Patient Access, Novartis, Australia & New ZealandJon Zdon is a seasoned Medical Affairs leader with 15 years of pharmaceutical industry experience across Australia, New Zealand and broader APAC countries. He currently serves as Head of Medical Governance, Evidence and Patient Access at Novartis ANZ, where he oversees medical governance, local evidence generation and patient access initiatives throughout the treatment lifecycle. Prior to this, Jon held the role of Associate Medical Director for APAC at Takeda, where he focused on Real-World Evidence (RWE) generation and advancing medical excellence across the region. He is also a published thought leader and co-author of the 2024 Pharmaceutical Medicine article, "How Can General Managers Best Leverage Medical Affairs Now and in the Future", which explores the evolving strategic role of Medical Affairs in modern pharma organizations.Jon Zdon
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