Why Market Access & Medical Affairs are now Business-Critical in Pharma <> and how to build the right team?

In today’s pharmaceutical landscape, clinical innovation alone is no longer enough.
Success hinges on a seamless strategy that begins well before launch and continues long afterwards.

At the heart of this transformation are the teams responsible for Market Access and Medical Affairs.

These two functions have evolved from “support roles” to strategic pillars that directly impact a product’s real-world success.

Market Access is now expected to provide early insights, anticipate needs, and ensure long-term reimbursement viability, even often before Phase III begins.

Medical Affairs, by contrast, performs a pivotal function in scientific engagement, KOL alignment, and real-world evidence generation.

Together, these elements influence how a product is perceived by consumers, how it is adopted by users, and how it is sustained in the market.

There is an increasing demand for top talent, and the supply is limited.

The Belgian market currently lacks bilingual/trilingual experts with in-depth therapeutic knowledge.
In the current market, startups, biotechs and big pharma are all vying for the same rare profiles.

Traditional recruitment processes are too slow for today’s launch timelines.

Companies are now facing a tough question:
What is the most effective way to ensure that we recruit the most suitable candidates without incurring unnecessary expenses or delays?

In order to attract and retain the best professionals, companies need to understand what motivates these individuals in 2025:

1. The organisation is committed to providing a flexible working environment, including the option of freelance or hybrid work models.
2. Projects that have genuine scientific or patient impact.
3. The company is committed to providing clear development paths and opportunities for national/international exposure.

The most resilient pharma teams combine core internal roles with on-demand external expertise, especially during key phases such as:

• Market access planning: a key consideration for any business.
• Scientific communication: there has been a significant increase in the level of scientific communication.
• Launch readiness assessments: to stay realistic and prepared.
• Evidence generation: especially post-launch.

This approach delivers speed, agility and expertise without long-term risk.

At Novellas Healthcare, we specialise in building high-performing teams in:

• Market Access

• Medical Affairs

• Regulatory Affairs

• Patient Solutions

Whether you need freelance consultants, interim managers, or want to grow your permanent team, we connect you with validated, mission-ready experts across the Benelux region and beyond.

Let’s talk.
Whether you’re planning a launch or facing resource gaps, Novellas is your recruitment partner for flexible and permanent solutions in Life Sciences.