Hamid Afzali
Global Medical Director
Rotterdam
Summary
Results-driven leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Corporate Medical and Pharmacovigilance Director
Nordic Pharma
04.2021 - Current
- Founded and built the medical affairs department from the ground up, establishing its strategic direction, operational structure, and key capabilities across global markets.
- Reorganized the pharmacovigilance department, implementing process optimizations that led to significant efficiency gains and measurable cost savings.
- Led the global medical affairs and PV functions, aligning strategy with regulatory and commercial objectives to enhance product value and patient safety.
- Elevated Nordic Pharma’s scientific reputation by fostering strategic collaborations with KOLs and expanding engagement with the broader medical community.
- Defined and executed the clinical development strategy across the company’s portfolio, streamlining development timelines and enhancing scientific rigor.
- Developed a comprehensive global medical affairs plan encompassing publications, scientific exchange, and congress presence in close alignment with commercial strategy.
- Oversaw pharmacovigilance operations, ensuring global regulatory compliance and proactively managing benefit-risk assessments across all product lines.
- Championed leadership development within the organization, mentoring and supporting team members’ growth into senior roles and building a high-performing, cross-functional team.
- Managed departmental budgets with a focus on resource optimization, achieving savings while expanding the scope and quality of medical activities.
- Played a key role in senior strategic governance as a member of multiple executive leadership committees contributing to company-wide decisions.
- Authored and implemented SOPs across medical and safety domains, improving compliance, audit readiness, and operational consistency.
Medical Director Cluster Europe & The UK
Grünenthal
05.2018 - 03.2021
- Provided strategic and medical leadership across the Cluster EU region (Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Nordics, Portugal) and the UK, shaping regional medical affairs initiatives in alignment with global strategy.
- Strengthened the role of medical affairs as a strategic partner by translating scientific insights into business-relevant strategies that supported regional growth and product positioning.
- Spearheaded initiatives to elevate the visibility and impact of medical affairs, resulting in improved cross-functional integration and increased stakeholder engagement across all markets.
- Led and coached a cross-country team of Medical Directors and Medical Advisors, fostering a high-performance culture and advancing talent development within the region.
- Oversaw the execution of key medical projects, including Investigator-Initiated Trials (IITs), Non-Interventional Trials (NITs), and Real-World Evidence (RWE) studies, ensuring consistency and scientific excellence across geographies.
- Established a framework for operational excellence and compliance, reinforcing high medical standards and aligning all regional activities with global SOPs and regulatory expectations.
- Actively contributed to regional business leadership as a member of the Cluster EU management team, influencing cross-functional decisions and supporting strategic alignment between medical and commercial functions.
Medical Director Benelux
Grünenthal
02.2016 - 04.2018
- Provided scientific and medical leadership across the Benelux region, shaping medical affairs strategy and execution to support portfolio growth and clinical relevance.
- Strengthened the bridge between science and business by translating clinical and scientific insights into actionable strategies that enhanced product positioning and market access.
- Successfully implemented regional medical affairs plans, aligning activities with global objectives while tailoring execution to local healthcare systems and market needs.
- Led and developed a cross-functional team of Medical Advisors and Medical Science Liaisons, driving engagement, scientific exchange, and professional growth.
- Upheld high medical and ethical standards by ensuring full compliance with regulatory guidelines and promoting a culture of operational excellence.
- Contributed to regional strategic direction as an active member of the Benelux management team, ensuring strong alignment between medical affairs and overall business goals.
Medical Doctor
PreMeo/Thuisvaccinatie
05.2010 - 02.2016
- Medical doctor in travel medicine
- Providing pre-travel medical risk assessment advice and vaccinations as required for prevention of travel-acquired illness
- Performing physical examinations and health check-ups
Medical Advisor Hematology a.i.
Amgen
10.2015 - 01.2016
- Developed and executed the local medical affairs plan for registered hematology products, supporting their strategic positioning and life-cycle management.
- Contributed to the review and approval of medical and scientific content, ensuring accuracy and compliance in promotional materials and broader scientific communications.
- Led the creation of training materials and delivered scientific education to the sales force, enhancing their understanding of disease area and product value propositions.
- Fostered strong relationships with key external experts and opinion leaders in hematology, supporting medical engagement initiatives and gathering critical clinical insights to inform strategic decisions.
Medical Affairs manager a.i.
Grünenthal
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Led the local medical and scientific strategy, ensuring alignment with global goals and driving impactful initiatives within the local market.
- Co-developed and reviewed marketing materials, ensuring scientific accuracy, regulatory compliance, and alignment with medical objectives.
- Designed and executed a comprehensive medical education plan, enhancing the knowledge base of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and improving product engagement.
- Built and nurtured relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and scientific leaders to enhance medical dialogue and gather valuable clinical feedback.
- Actively contributed to cross-functional teams, collaborating with commercial, regulatory, and clinical teams to ensure alignment and optimize product strategies.
Medical Advisor
Pfizer
05.2013 - 01.2015
- Oversight of all medical activities in the Netherlands
- Supporting brand strategies and medical contribution to the marketing of Prevenar 13 franchise
- Planning and executing the medical strategic objectives
- Educating HCPs on the scientific and clinical data of the Prevenar 13 franchise
- Establishing strong relationships with opinion leaders, clinical investigators and governmental agencies
- Handling investigator initiated study proposals and grant requests
- Responsible for the development of training materials and education of the sales force
- Organizing and participation in advisory boards and symposia
- Member of the tender task force Vaccines
Medical Doctor
Isala Klinieken
04.2010 - 01.2012
- Oversaw clinical surgical wards, managing peri-operative care for patients and ensuring optimal outcomes through evidence-based practices and continuous learning in surgical and post-operative care.
- Delivered comprehensive care to acutely ill patients in the emergency department, applying advanced clinical knowledge to rapidly assess, diagnose, and treat under high-pressure conditions.
- Assisted in a wide range of surgical procedures, gaining extensive hands-on experience and expanding clinical expertise in both elective and emergency surgeries.
- Performed small surgical procedures independently, enhancing surgical skills and maintaining high standards of patient safety and care.
- Continuously expanded clinical knowledge by staying current with the latest surgical practices, techniques, and medical research, which enhanced overall patient management and clinical decision-making.
Education
Doctor of Medicine -
University of Amsterdam
01.2003 - 01.2010
Skills
Leadership & Team Development: Proven ability to lead and scale teams, driving alignment across medical, clinical, and commercial objectives for organizational success
Strategic Pharmaceutical Oversight: Expertise in guiding clinical portfolios, regulatory strategies, and pharmacovigilance to deliver market success, compliance, and positive patient outcomes
Medical Data Analysis & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Skilled in translating complex data into actionable insights while fostering collaboration across R&D, commercial, and medical functions, building key relationships with stakeholders
Operational Excellence & Innovation: Track record of streamlining processes, driving operational efficiency, and leading innovation initiatives to maintain competitive advantage
Global Strategy & Regulatory Leadership: Experience in developing and executing global medical strategies, navigating regulatory landscapes, and ensuring compliance while advancing business goals
Commercial-Scientific Synergy & Talent Development: Expertise in aligning scientific strategy with commercial goals, while mentoring and developing teams to foster continuous learning and growth
Crisis Management & Decision-Making: Strong ability to lead through crises and make strategic decisions under pressure to achieve long-term goals
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 12/02/83
Timeline
Corporate Medical and Pharmacovigilance Director
Nordic Pharma
04.2021 - Current
Medical Director Cluster Europe & The UK
Grünenthal
05.2018 - 03.2021
Medical Director Benelux
Grünenthal
02.2016 - 04.2018
Medical Advisor Hematology a.i.
Amgen
10.2015 - 01.2016
Medical Affairs manager a.i.
Grünenthal
01.2015 - 01.2016
Medical Advisor
Pfizer
05.2013 - 01.2015
Medical Doctor
PreMeo/Thuisvaccinatie
05.2010 - 02.2016
Medical Doctor
Isala Klinieken
04.2010 - 01.2012
Doctor of Medicine -
University of Amsterdam
01.2003 - 01.2010