Patient Journey Partner, Rare Disease

at  AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is accelerating the expansion of our geographical footprint in Rare Diseases following the acquisition of Alexion in 2021. Rare diseases are a high-growth therapy area with rapid innovation and significant unmet medical needs. Over 7,000 rare diseases are known today – yet less than 1% of them have an approved treatment.
As we begin to build our position as a Rare Disease Leader, we seek a Rare Disease, Patient Journey Partner to join our Commercial Team in Bryanston.

TYPICAL ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE:

• Engages HCPs in dialogue to effectively promote knowledge about rare disease medicines value proposition, benefits of approved indications, product efficacy/safety profiles and treatment protocols to support on-label prescribing for appropriate patients, using science-driven balanced messages and the appropriate mix of tools and channels – both face-to-face and digital. Proactively identifies new patient/patients on therapy targets.
• Consistently achieve or exceed sales objectives in the assigned region including accurate and timely tracking and reporting of sales activities
• Demonstrates strong in-depth clinical, technical, and scientific knowledge in relevant disease states and product mechanisms of action
• To improve the identification and diagnosis of patients and manage the market development objectives, strategies, tactics, and action plans within the stated territory.
• Ensure achievement of the following three key imperatives and performance measures:
• Increase disease awareness with key target groups
• To work with healthcare professionals to identify and test high risk patients for the relevant diseases
• Establish a key external expert (KEE) network
• Identify and develop KEEs within the territory
• Liaise with cross-functional medical, marketing, market access and diagnostic teams to develop long-term relationships and advocacy with KEEs, HCP accounts and other appropriate external stakeholders
• Organize workshops and other educational events to facilitate knowledge sharing among relevant HCPs
• Work with Business Unit Head, brand manager and cross-functional team to develop and implement a strategy and actions to meet promotional objectives
• Manage allocated budge
• Share insights and information to strengthen brand positioning, promotional efforts, access to treatment etc.
• Ensure rare disease products are optimally utilized in line with national/local guidelines and the product license
• Demonstrate strong business ethic and ensure active respect of values, local laws, policies, and marketing procedures. Ensure all activities and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with the high standards of ethics and integrity required by the Code of Conduct, supporting Policies and Standards and Company Values to protect and enhance long term performance and reputation
• Other duties within the position’s scope, as assigned by Line Manager

SELLING SKILLS

• Demonstrate deep product and disease knowledge and be able to effectively educate HCPs about the nuances of rare diseases, the specific needs of patients and how the treatment addresses those needs
• Be able to clearly articulate the value of the treatment, not just from a clinical perspective but also in terms of long-term patient outcomes and healthcare system impact
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the reimbursement and funder environment to support market access reimbursement objectives and handle HCP objections and concerns
• Be able to address concerns about the high cost of rare disease therapies, focusing on long-term benefits and overall patient outcomes
• Work collaboratively with the patient support team to have an active awareness of patient adoption and adherence, including patient challenges and barriers to adherence
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the patient advocacy space and the patient experience journey, from diagnosis to treatment and the barriers that they may face in accessing care
• Engage with a variety of stakeholders to support access, uptake and reimbursement of rare disease treatment
• Build strong relationships with KEEs and other stakeholders to foster trust and open communication
• Demonstrate adaptability and flexibility to tailor strategies according to the unique needs of the patient or HCP, pulling together insights from various stakeholders and cross-functional teams
• Demonstrate strong analytical skills to analyze trends and leverage data to support discussions with KEEs, HCPs and other relevant stakeholders
• Be able to proactively address objections and concerns about treatment efficacy, cost or patient outcomes with solid evidence-backed outcomes
• Demonstrates active listening skills, to enable a greater understanding of the customer’s values and viewpoints
• Uses a range of questioning techniques to elicit information relating to the unmet need and treatment options and to maintain positive tension

KNOWLEDGE: HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT

• Shows detailed knowledge of their healthcare ecosystem for their therapeutic area
• Understand how broader healthcare issues/trends will affect their customer decision-making
• Keeps abreast of the latest developments in the industry and new regulations
• If appropriate, understand the diagnostic environment, i.e., companion diagnostics, and potential barriers to effective treatment

ESSENTIAL SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

• Must have a completed Tertiary qualification in medical sciences; life sciences and/or Human Anatomy ie: B.Sc
• Gauteng-based role, the candidate must reside in Johannesburg and must be willing to work in F/S & KZN as a country trip
• Must have 3-5 years of proven specialist sales experience within the Rare Disease therapy area.
• Only candidates with Rare Disease experience will be considered.
• Valid driver’s license and own vehicle.
• Experience in the neurology field, with different Pediatric subspecialties, and metabolic/geneticists are highly regarded
• Proven track record for delivering consistent, ‘top-tier’ sales results
• Experience in project management
• Passion for science and commitment to make a positive personal impact. Curiousness and learning agility
• Strong influencing skills to engage key stakeholders in complex clinical environments, e.g., mid, and senior-level specialty care professionals, key accounts in the medical community
• Proactive and solution-oriented. Strong analytical skills
• Collaborative and inclusive
• High ethical standards

The Rare Disease Patient Journey Partner is a full-time position, responsible for generating clinical demand for our brands in key accounts, proactively identifying business opportunities, recommending solutions to drive and develop business, and developing of opinion leader commercial relationships. The Rare Disease Patient Journey Partner serves the region as an expert in their therapeutic area, product and territory knowledge. The role will work very closely with the BU Head, Brand Manager and cross-functional team to deploy and adapt the AZ account management strategy to the local market, including tactics and execution. The Patient Journey Partner Patient Journey Partner reports directly to the BU Head and the PJP will be responsible for generating clinical demand for Rare Disease medicines with healthcare professionals (HCP), proactively identifying new patient/patients on therapy targets, presenting value propositions, and recommending patient-centric solutions. In doing so, this role will develop strategic and mutually beneficial relationships with the healthcare professionals (HCP), Key External Experts (KEE) and other stakeholders, based on a deep scientific understanding of the rare disease and therapeutic solutions, to identify the best opportunities for the assigned part of AZ’s portfolio to deliver life-changing medicines to patient.