As an MSL, if asked to influence grant planning content, what is the appropriate response?

As an MSL, if asked to influence grant planning content, what is the appropriate response?

• A. Agree and provide suggestions
• B. Decline entirely
• C. Explain that, per PhRMA code, it would be a conflict of interest to make any suggestions
• D. Accept but recuse from decisions

Answer: (C)

Influence on grant planning creates a potential conflict of interest for an MSL. Providing input that could shape what gets funded can bias research decisions in favor of commercial interests, which is exactly the kind of interaction industry codes aim to prevent. That’s why the appropriate response is to acknowledge the policy and explain that, per PhRMA code, it would be a conflict of interest to offer any suggestions on grant planning. You can then steer the requester to neutral, non-content-input channels—such as the grant office or investigators for content decisions—while offering only general, non-influential information about the grant process or company policies. This preserves independence and complies with the code.

Influence on grant planning creates a potential conflict of interest for an MSL. Providing input that could shape what gets funded can bias research decisions in favor of commercial interests, which is exactly the kind of interaction industry codes aim to prevent. That’s why the appropriate response is to acknowledge the policy and explain that, per PhRMA code, it would be a conflict of interest to offer any suggestions on grant planning. You can then steer the requester to neutral, non-content-input channels—such as the grant office or investigators for content decisions—while offering only general, non-influential information about the grant process or company policies. This preserves independence and complies with the code.