The SCP Problem: Everyone Has One, Nobody Uses It
June 9, 2026
SCPs are meant to align teams, shape scientific narratives, and guide communication across the product lifecycle. But in reality, they often end up as static documents that few people actually use.
In this episode of Transforming Medical Communications, Wesley Portegies is joined by Enio Polena and Al Balkiewicz of MedComms Experts to share insights on how to make SCPs truly strategic and how to move from simply presenting data to telling scientific stories that clinicians actually remember.
SCPs are meant to align teams, shape scientific narratives, and guide communication across the product lifecycle. But in reality, they often end up as static documents that few people actually use.
In this episode of Transforming Medical Communications, Wesley Portegies is joined by Enio Polena and Al Balkiewicz of MedComms Experts to share insights on how to make SCPs truly strategic and how to move from simply presenting data to telling scientific stories that clinicians actually remember.
Enio Polena is an Associate Director of Medical Communications Strategy at MedComms Experts, specializing in strategic support and value maximization for client deliverables. With expertise in scientific narrative development and communications platform strategy, Polena brings a focused approach to distilling complex clinical data into actionable patient-centered messaging.
Al Balkiewicz is the Director of Medical Communications Strategy at MedComms Experts, leading innovation initiatives and developing solutions for complex client challenges in Medical Affairs. With vast experience in structuring communications platforms and identifying operational inefficiencies, Balkiewicz champions practical, user-centered approaches to SCP design and deployment.
Enio Polena is an Associate Director of Medical Communications Strategy at MedComms Experts, specializing in strategic support and value maximization for client deliverables. With expertise in scientific narrative development and communications platform strategy, Polena brings a focused approach to distilling complex clinical data into actionable patient-centered messaging.
Al Balkiewicz is the Director of Medical Communications Strategy at MedComms Experts, leading innovation initiatives and developing solutions for complex client challenges in Medical Affairs. With vast experience in structuring communications platforms and identifying operational inefficiencies, Balkiewicz champions practical, user-centered approaches to SCP design and deployment.
We’ll talk about:
- Why SCPs remain chronically underutilized across the industry
- How SCPs relate to scientific narratives and storytelling
- What cross-functional ownership really looks like
- How AI is opening up new possibilities for keeping platforms current and ensuring messaging consistency across channels
Cut Through the Noise. Elevate Your Strategy.
Guiding Medical Affairs strategy across Medical Communications, Field Medical, or Medical Affairs Training? Wesley Portegies, host of Transforming Medical Communications, is opening up a few exclusive 30-minute consultancy sessions.
Guiding Medical Affairs strategy across Medical Communications, Field Medical, or Medical Affairs Training? Wesley Portegies, host of Transforming Medical Communications, is opening up a few exclusive 30-minute consultancy sessions.
This is a candid, insight-rich opportunity to step back from the day-to-day, pressure-test your approach, and explore fresh solutions to complex MedComms challenges—from scientific engagement to operational alignment.
If you’re shaping the future of Medical Affairs at your organization, this conversation is for you.
Reserve your session → Schedule now https://mce.global/consultancy
Previous guests include: Sissy Easo-Joseph at GSK, Barbara Bish at Janssen, Drew Provan at Queen Mary University, Rebecca McCracken at Agios Pharmaceuticals
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:
- From Event to Strategy: Making Congresses More Impactful
- Building a Medical Affairs Powerhouse Without a Big Pharma Budget
- The SCP Playbook: Turning Strategy into Real-World Impact
Transforming Medical Communications is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed by the guest are their own and do not represent any past or current employers.