BCMAS EXAM STUDY GUIDE | BOARD CERTIFIED MEDICAL AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
Most commonly used study design: - correct answer ✔✔parallel
Under what conditions can a pharma company provide financial support for conferences and CME? -
correct answer ✔✔The grants/contributions are separate from other company funds
The company has had no control over the selection of content, faculty, or venue
Not required by ADR reporting: - correct answer ✔✔careful selection of clinical trial participants
Required:
-recognition of events
-safety signals are identified against a background of events
-accurate reporting
Individual board members are known as: - correct answer ✔✔advisors
in vitro diagnostic test - example - correct answer ✔✔microbiology culture
in vitro versus in vivo - correct answer ✔✔in vitro describes something "in glass" such as a test tube or
petri dish
in vivo is "within a living organism"
Fundamental requirement for ongoing risk evaluations of REMS: - correct answer ✔✔timely data
collection
Best practice and ethical standards for reporting research published in medical journals - correct answer
✔✔ICMJE
T/F: Elements to Assure Safe Use (ETASU) are required medical interventions taken by HCPs prior to using
the drug. - correct answer ✔✔True
Combination product applicant(s) - correct answer ✔✔The company that holds the application for the
combination product as a whole
T/F: Severe birth defects is not an FDA mandated REMS. - correct answer ✔✔False
Export challenge of a medical device company: - correct answer ✔✔Violation of intellectual property
rights
Purposes of IIS - correct answer ✔✔develop and support new indication
enhance pt benefits/health outcomes
improve available product safety and
,NOT a purpose = support pt community
Goals of pharmacogenomics - correct answer ✔✔Individualize therapies based on genetic differences
Predict individual responses to a drug to decrease adverse drug reactions
Improve the overall efficacy and safety of drugs
NOT a goal = decrease medication adherence
FDA clearance for medical devices - correct answer ✔✔May be given for devices with substantial
equivalence to a known predicate device
Allows the device to be marketed and sold once a Pre-Market Notification has been submitted
May be issued if the device existed in the market prior to 1976
EBM databases - correct answer ✔✔DynaMed
Cochrane Library
T/F: Presentation skills are not essential for maintaining a position with MA. - correct answer ✔✔False
What would cause the FDA to require post-marketing studies or clinical trials at the time of approval or
afterwards for a new product? - correct answer ✔✔If the FDA becomes aware of new safety information
from SADR reporting.
When first working on a publication, what should authors do to identify their rights, roles, and
responsibilities? - correct answer ✔✔Document the agreement
The process of internal cooperation, coordination, and common standards across the global
pharmaceutical industry is referred to as: - correct answer ✔✔Harmonization
5-step process to respond to a medical information question - correct answer ✔✔1) Determine who the
audience is
2) Understand what the primary question is
3) Develop an appropriate research strategy
4) Choose the best source
5) Assess the information source and answer the question
T/f: SRDs are prepared only for HCPs in response to questions about product(s). - correct answer
✔✔False
Who is required to submit a periodic safety update report? - correct answer ✔✔Marketing authorization
holders (MAHs) according to the data points outlined in the EURD list.
T/F: Surveys are classified as cross-sectional studies. - correct answer ✔✔True
Medical Device User Fees Amendment of 2012 - correct answer ✔✔Allows the FDA to collect user fees
for pre-market approvals to improve the overall review process
, T/F: An abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) is submitted to the FDA for generic drugs. - correct
answer ✔✔True
The risk associated with this type of drug may not be well understood. - correct answer ✔✔New drug
substance
Amber is an MSL and receives a question from a physician about a medication indication that is not FDA
approved. Which of the following is true? - correct answer ✔✔This is an unsolicited request.
This information is off-label.
A Pharma company is looking to begin the development of a new drug. Why would the company consult
an advisory board? - correct answer ✔✔To provide their opinion on the research and development of
the drug
T/F: Under the second-tier regulations, in 21 CFR Part 56 (Institutional Review Board (IRB)) subpart B,
there needs to be a minimum of 2 members in the IRB. - correct answer ✔✔False
Which are considered key items the FDA will contemplate when deciding on whether REMS is needed? -
correct answer ✔✔Seriousness of the disease
Seriousness of side effects
Benefit of the drug
In research which of the terms below describes a distortion caused by other variables to both exposure
and outcome? - correct answer ✔✔confounding
T/F: Medical writers should avoid addressing the public's questions to prevent the spread of health
misinformation. - correct answer ✔✔False
What are some of the ways that companies can benefit from non-mandated Post-Marketing studies? -
correct answer ✔✔Detect any cost-benefits associated with the drugs
Compare a drug with other currently available medications in the same class
Detect other uses of the drugs
Approximately how many slides should a 15 minute presentation include? - correct answer ✔✔7-8
Dr. Simpson, a neurologist, occasionally participates on an advisory board for Lightning Pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Simpson has also just become a member of a national committee that makes recommendations for
clinical guidelines and formulary decisions. Is Dr. Simpson required to disclose her relationship with
Lightning Pharmaceuticals to the national committee she is a member of? - correct answer ✔✔Yes, it
would be unethical and potentially a conflict of interest if she does not disclose the relationship.
Which statement is not true about promotional materials?
A) Promotional materials must present an unbiased picture of the drug, including its risks and benefits
B) All MSLs should offer the same promotional materials provided by the company and not "make their
own"
EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
Most commonly used study design: - correct answer ✔✔parallel
Under what conditions can a pharma company provide financial support for conferences and CME? -
correct answer ✔✔The grants/contributions are separate from other company funds
The company has had no control over the selection of content, faculty, or venue
Not required by ADR reporting: - correct answer ✔✔careful selection of clinical trial participants
Required:
-recognition of events
-safety signals are identified against a background of events
-accurate reporting
Individual board members are known as: - correct answer ✔✔advisors
in vitro diagnostic test - example - correct answer ✔✔microbiology culture
in vitro versus in vivo - correct answer ✔✔in vitro describes something "in glass" such as a test tube or
petri dish
in vivo is "within a living organism"
Fundamental requirement for ongoing risk evaluations of REMS: - correct answer ✔✔timely data
collection
Best practice and ethical standards for reporting research published in medical journals - correct answer
✔✔ICMJE
T/F: Elements to Assure Safe Use (ETASU) are required medical interventions taken by HCPs prior to using
the drug. - correct answer ✔✔True
Combination product applicant(s) - correct answer ✔✔The company that holds the application for the
combination product as a whole
T/F: Severe birth defects is not an FDA mandated REMS. - correct answer ✔✔False
Export challenge of a medical device company: - correct answer ✔✔Violation of intellectual property
rights
Purposes of IIS - correct answer ✔✔develop and support new indication
enhance pt benefits/health outcomes
improve available product safety and
,NOT a purpose = support pt community
Goals of pharmacogenomics - correct answer ✔✔Individualize therapies based on genetic differences
Predict individual responses to a drug to decrease adverse drug reactions
Improve the overall efficacy and safety of drugs
NOT a goal = decrease medication adherence
FDA clearance for medical devices - correct answer ✔✔May be given for devices with substantial
equivalence to a known predicate device
Allows the device to be marketed and sold once a Pre-Market Notification has been submitted
May be issued if the device existed in the market prior to 1976
EBM databases - correct answer ✔✔DynaMed
Cochrane Library
T/F: Presentation skills are not essential for maintaining a position with MA. - correct answer ✔✔False
What would cause the FDA to require post-marketing studies or clinical trials at the time of approval or
afterwards for a new product? - correct answer ✔✔If the FDA becomes aware of new safety information
from SADR reporting.
When first working on a publication, what should authors do to identify their rights, roles, and
responsibilities? - correct answer ✔✔Document the agreement
The process of internal cooperation, coordination, and common standards across the global
pharmaceutical industry is referred to as: - correct answer ✔✔Harmonization
5-step process to respond to a medical information question - correct answer ✔✔1) Determine who the
audience is
2) Understand what the primary question is
3) Develop an appropriate research strategy
4) Choose the best source
5) Assess the information source and answer the question
T/f: SRDs are prepared only for HCPs in response to questions about product(s). - correct answer
✔✔False
Who is required to submit a periodic safety update report? - correct answer ✔✔Marketing authorization
holders (MAHs) according to the data points outlined in the EURD list.
T/F: Surveys are classified as cross-sectional studies. - correct answer ✔✔True
Medical Device User Fees Amendment of 2012 - correct answer ✔✔Allows the FDA to collect user fees
for pre-market approvals to improve the overall review process
, T/F: An abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) is submitted to the FDA for generic drugs. - correct
answer ✔✔True
The risk associated with this type of drug may not be well understood. - correct answer ✔✔New drug
substance
Amber is an MSL and receives a question from a physician about a medication indication that is not FDA
approved. Which of the following is true? - correct answer ✔✔This is an unsolicited request.
This information is off-label.
A Pharma company is looking to begin the development of a new drug. Why would the company consult
an advisory board? - correct answer ✔✔To provide their opinion on the research and development of
the drug
T/F: Under the second-tier regulations, in 21 CFR Part 56 (Institutional Review Board (IRB)) subpart B,
there needs to be a minimum of 2 members in the IRB. - correct answer ✔✔False
Which are considered key items the FDA will contemplate when deciding on whether REMS is needed? -
correct answer ✔✔Seriousness of the disease
Seriousness of side effects
Benefit of the drug
In research which of the terms below describes a distortion caused by other variables to both exposure
and outcome? - correct answer ✔✔confounding
T/F: Medical writers should avoid addressing the public's questions to prevent the spread of health
misinformation. - correct answer ✔✔False
What are some of the ways that companies can benefit from non-mandated Post-Marketing studies? -
correct answer ✔✔Detect any cost-benefits associated with the drugs
Compare a drug with other currently available medications in the same class
Detect other uses of the drugs
Approximately how many slides should a 15 minute presentation include? - correct answer ✔✔7-8
Dr. Simpson, a neurologist, occasionally participates on an advisory board for Lightning Pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Simpson has also just become a member of a national committee that makes recommendations for
clinical guidelines and formulary decisions. Is Dr. Simpson required to disclose her relationship with
Lightning Pharmaceuticals to the national committee she is a member of? - correct answer ✔✔Yes, it
would be unethical and potentially a conflict of interest if she does not disclose the relationship.
Which statement is not true about promotional materials?
A) Promotional materials must present an unbiased picture of the drug, including its risks and benefits
B) All MSLs should offer the same promotional materials provided by the company and not "make their
own"
