Reem Al-Haddad
Dubai,United Arab Emirates
Summary
A seasoned professional with expertise in patient engagement strategy design, implementation, and evaluation, complemented by a strong background in patient advocacy partnerships and community engagement. Demonstrates proficiency in managing Patient Support Programs, affordability initiatives, and access pathways while ensuring medical governance and compliance frameworks are adhered to. Skilled in third-party vendor management, contracting, and risk assessment, with a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams across Medical, Commercial, Market Access, and PSP domains. Adept at strategic planning and resource allocation to drive program success. Known for executive communication skills that facilitate senior leadership reporting and stakeholder alignment. Committed to advancing real-world evidence initiatives through patient registries and outcomes tracking.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work history
Medical Team Leader &Strategy– GCC Medical Affairs
TRpharm
Dubai, GCC & KSA
01.2022 - 12.2025
- Designed and owned regional patient engagement strategy aligned with brand objectives and medical priorities.
- Executed patient education initiatives, disease awareness campaigns, and advisory boards from start to finish.
- Served as primary medical governance lead for patient activities, ensuring compliance with internal SOPs and industry standards.
- Orchestrated cross-functional patient initiatives involving PSPs, affordability, commercial, and market access teams.
- Established long-term partnerships with patient advocacy groups, NGOs, and healthcare institutions.
- Managed third-party vendors, overseeing scope definition, contracting, performance review, and risk mitigation.
- Defined success metrics and KPIs, tracked outcomes, and presented insights to senior leadership.
- Mentored medical team members on patient-centricity, ethical engagement, and industry best practices.
- Developed strategies for improved performance level across the team.
- Resolved conflicts effectively, promoting harmony within the workforce.
- Increased team cohesion by implementing regular feedback sessions.
GCC GeneTherapy Medical Advisor – Rare Disease
Novartis
Dubai, GCC
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Led patient engagement and access strategy for gene therapy in Spinal Muscular Atrophy across multiple Gulf markets.
- Established and supported an International Canter of Excellence to ensure high-quality, compliant patient care and site readiness.
- Partnered with patient advocacy groups, KOLs, and regulators to co-create solutions addressing unmet patient needs.
- Delivered education programs for healthcare professionals and supported structured patient journey planning pre- and post-treatment.
- Contributed to patient registries, real-world evidence initiatives, and access programs to inform strategic decisions.
- Ensured full compliance with global patient interaction standards, PSP frameworks, and third-party governance requirements.
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Worked flexible hours, covering nights, weekends and bank holidays.
- Increased customer satisfaction by resolving issues.
- Improved efficiency and productivity by acquiring new skills.
- Completed duties to deliver on targets with accuracy and efficiency.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Delivered exceptional customer service by proactively listening to concerns and answering questions.
- Oversaw daily operations to achieve high productivity levels.
GCC Medical Science Liaison–Rare Disease&Neurology
PTC Therapeutics
Dubai, GCC
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Led patient engagement initiatives for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and rare neuromuscular conditions.
- Co-founded Rare Disease Society in Gulf region with UAE Genetic Disease Association.
- Designed and executed disease awareness campaigns and patient education initiatives.
- Established sustainable partnerships with patient societies and healthcare institutions.
- Supported genetic testing programmes and registry development to enhance patient access.
- Ensured ethical scientific exchange compliant with global and local industry standards.
GCC Medical Science Liaison – Rare Disease
SOBI
Dubai, GCC
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Managed medical and patient engagement activities across rare haematology and immunology portfolios.
- Developed robust relationships with patient advocacy groups and healthcare stakeholders.
- Supported patient programmes, compassionate use, and access initiatives.
- Facilitated scientific exchange and education in compliance with industry standards.
Senior Medical Representative
AstraZeneca
Dubai, UAE
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Delivered high-quality scientific detailing in GI and Respiratory therapy areas.
- Fostered professional networks within the healthcare industry for business expansion.
- Executed successful launch campaigns for new products showcasing their unique selling points and benefits to target audience.
- Enhanced product knowledge by regularly attending relevant medical seminars.
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills whilst dealing with complex medical terminology.
- Resolved customer inquiries promptly, ensured their satisfaction with our services and products.
- Supported disease education initiatives and patient awareness campaigns with medical and commercial teams.
- Established trusted relationships with healthcare professionals through ethical scientific engagement.
- Contributed to planning and execution of territory strategy.
Marketing & Clinical Specialist
Becton Dickinson
Dubai, GCC
01.2004 - 01.2008
- Delivered clinical education and training programmes for healthcare professionals regionally.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance product adoption and ensure safe use.
- Supported regional marketing initiatives through scientific and clinical expertise.
- Demonstrated proficiency in numerous surgical procedures; ensured patient safety during operations.
- Participated actively in local and national conferences; stayed abreast with latest trends and developments in the field.
- Played an integral role in weekly case discussions, contributing valuable insights based on extensive experience and knowledge of current best practices.
- Conducted regular audits to identify areas of improvement in service provision.
- Tailored communication styles to suit individual patients' needs; received positive feedback from patients about overall care quality.
- Developed strong relationships with patients and their families, fostering trust within the community.
- Interpreted clinical data, provided insightful conclusions.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Pharmacology and Pathology
University of Auckland
New ZealandSkills
- Patient engagement strategy design
- Patient advocacy and community collaboration
- Patient support programs and access initiatives
- Medical governance and compliance frameworks
- Vendor management and risk assessment
- Advisory boards and market research insights
- Cross-functional leadership in Medical and Commercial teams
- Strategic planning and resource allocation
- Executive communication and stakeholder alignment
- Real-world evidence and outcomes tracking
- Medical education program design and scientific engagement
- Interpersonal skills with diverse teams
- Leadership proficiency
- Decisive decision-making
- Agile methodology knowledge
- Process improvement understanding
- Risk assessment knowledge
- Goal setting expertise
- Digital marketing awareness
- Productivity improvement strategy
- Crisis handling acumen
- Knowledge sharing
- Agile methodology understanding
- Policy implementation and enforcement
- Decision-Making autonomy
- Communication excellence
LANGUAGES
English: Fluent
Arabic: Fluent
NATIONALITY
New Zealander
Timeline
Medical Team Leader &Strategy– GCC Medical Affairs
TRpharm
01.2022 - 12.2025
GCC GeneTherapy Medical Advisor – Rare Disease
Novartis
01.2018 - 01.2022
GCC Medical Science Liaison–Rare Disease&Neurology
PTC Therapeutics
01.2015 - 01.2018
GCC Medical Science Liaison – Rare Disease
SOBI
01.2011 - 01.2015
Senior Medical Representative
AstraZeneca
01.2008 - 01.2011
Marketing & Clinical Specialist
Becton Dickinson
01.2004 - 01.2008
Bachelor of Science - Pharmacology and Pathology
University of Auckland