The 15 theses of Gottlieb and Adele Duttweiler: implications and lessons for medical affairs professionals in the life sciences industry

## The Authors

Gottlieb Duttweiler (1888-1962) was a Swiss entrepreneur, politician, and visionary who made Swiss economic history by founding Migros. His wife Adele Duttweiler-Bertschi (1892-1990) was not only his spouse but also his most important advisor and co-author of the 15 theses. She played a crucial role in developing the social and cultural orientation of Migros.

The 15 theses were jointly authored by both on December 29, 1950, and represent their idealistic legacy. They defined the intellectual goals and moral values of Migros.

## Relevance for Medical Affairs

The 15 theses, although written over 70 years ago for retail, contain timeless principles that translate remarkably well to the modern Medical Affairs function in the Life Sciences industry.

### 1. Ethical Foundation and Credibility

Thesis 1: "The public commitment to this basic idea: Serving in the spirit of faith"

For Medical Affairs, this means:

- Focus on patient benefit as the highest priority

- Transparent and ethical collaboration with Healthcare Professionals (HCPs)

- Building trust through consistent, integral actions

Practical tip: Develop clear ethical guidelines for your Medical Affairs activities and communicate them proactively.

2. Professional Excellence

Thesis 2: "With feet firmly planted on the solid ground of human and business realities" Implications:

• Scientific excellence as foundation
• Balanced perspective between medical and economic aspects
• Investment in continuous education Practical tip: Implement structured training programs for your team.

3. Organizational Strength

Thesis 3: "Survival depends on organizational performance advantage" Meaning for Medical Affairs:

• Efficient processes and structures
• Clear responsibilities
• Measurable performance indicators Practical tip: Establish KPIs that capture both quantitative and qualitative aspects of Medical Affairs work.

4. Stakeholder Centricity

Thesis 4: "Focus on the people" Modern interpretation:

• Understanding the needs of patients and HCPs
• Engagement at eye level
• Focus on Medical Education and Scientific Exchange Practical tip: Conduct regular stakeholder surveys.

5. Continuous Trust Building

Thesis 5: "Continuous proof of principle loyalty" For Medical Affairs this means:

• Consistent scientific communication
• Regular updates on research results
• Long-term development of expert networks Practical tip: Develop a systematic stakeholder management system with regular touch points.

6. Transparency

Thesis 6: "Unhindered access to the light of public scrutiny at all times" Modern interpretation:

• Complete transparency in clinical trials
• Open communication of adverse effects
• Clear documentation of HCP interactions Practical tip: Implement a transparent system for documenting and publishing study results, even when they don't meet expectations.

7. & 8. Governance and Control

Theses 7 & 8: "The cooperative councils as supreme guardians" and "Broadening the base" Significance for Medical Affairs:

• Establishment of effective Advisory Boards
• Integration of diverse perspectives (patients, HCPs, payers)
• Balanced governance structure Practical tip: Diversify the composition of your Advisory Boards and establish clear governance structures.

9. Gender Balance and Diversity

Thesis 9: "The woman's heart is the safest repository for our ideals" Modern interpretation:

• Promotion of diversity in Medical Affairs teams
• Gender-equitable career development
• Balanced perspectives in medical research Practical tip: Develop specific programs to promote diversity in leadership positions.

10. Social Responsibility

Thesis 10: "The public interest must be placed above all" Implications:

• Focus on Public Health
• Engagement in Disease Awareness
• Support of Patient Support Programs Practical tip: Develop programs that go beyond pure product business and create societal value.

11. Scientific Advancement

Thesis 11: "International foundation must be expanded" Meaning for Medical Affairs:

• Support of independent research
• International research collaborations
• Fostering scientific talent Practical tip: Establish research grants and support Investigator Initiated Trials.

12. Employee Development

Thesis 12: "Wages and working conditions must be exemplary" Modern interpretation:

• Attractive career paths in Medical Affairs
• Work-life balance
• Continuous professional development Practical tip: Develop individualized development plans for Medical Affairs team members.

13. & 14. Collaboration and Cooperation

Theses 13 & 14: "Respect for achievements" and "No power politics" Meaning:

• Respectful collaboration with all stakeholders
• Partnership approach
• Focus on win-win situations Practical tip: Develop cooperation models that provide value to all participants.

15. Ethical Fight for the Right Cause

Thesis 15: "The fight must continue - but only where it concerns protecting the vulnerable" Implications:

• Commitment to patient rights
• Advocacy for fair access to therapies
• Support for disadvantaged patient groups Practical tip: Develop specific programs for underserved patient populations.

Practical Implementation

For successful implementation of these principles in Medical Affairs practice, the following steps are recommended:

1. Gap Analysis: Evaluation of status quo against the 15 principles
2. Prioritization: Identification of key action areas
3. Implementation Plan: Development of concrete measures
4. Change Management: Systematic execution
5. Monitoring: Regular review of progress

Summary

The 15 theses of Gottlieb and Adele Duttweiler provide a valuable ethical and strategic framework for modern Medical Affairs organizations. Their principles of integrity, professionalism, stakeholder orientation, and social responsibility are more relevant than ever. Successful implementation of these principles can lead to a more sustainable and effective Medical Affairs function.

## Conclusions

The 15 theses of Gottlieb and Adele Duttweiler continue to provide valuable guidance for Medical Affairs Professionals. The core principles of ethical conduct, professionalism, stakeholder orientation, and social responsibility remain timelessly relevant.

## References

1. Duttweiler, G. & Duttweiler-Bertschi, A. (1950). The 15 theses. Federation of Migros Cooperatives.

2. H?sler, A. A. (1985). The Migros adventure: the 60-year young idea. Migros Presse.

3. Riess, C. (2011). Gottlieb Duttweiler – a biography. Europa Verlag.

4. Girschik, K., Ritschl, A., & Welskopp, T. (2003). Der Migros-Kosmos: Zur Geschichte eines au?ergew?hnlichen Schweizer Unternehmens. hier + jetzt.

5. Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS). (2023). Best Practices in Medical Affairs.

MAPS Publishing.