What is Medical Writing?
Medical writing is the specialized creation of scientific and healthcare-related documents. Medical writers translate complex clinical and scientific information into clear, accurate content for specific audiences - whether that's regulatory agencies, healthcare professionals, or patients.
The field spans pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, and healthcare organizations. Medical writers create everything from regulatory submissions that get drugs approved to patient education materials that help people understand their conditions.
Key Industries Using Medical Writing
💊
Pharmaceutical
🧬
Biotech
🩺
Medical Devices
🏥
Healthcare
Types of Medical Writing Services
1Regulatory Writing
Documents required by regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA) for drug, device, and biologic approvals. This is the most specialized and highest-paying type of medical writing.
2Scientific Publications
Peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, and presentations for medical journals and conferences. Critical for sharing research findings and building scientific credibility.
3CME & Medical Education
Continuing Medical Education materials and training content for healthcare professionals. Helps physicians maintain certifications and stay current.
4Marketing & Promotional
Commercial content for pharmaceutical and healthcare marketing. Must balance promotional goals with regulatory compliance and scientific accuracy.
5Patient Education
Health information written in accessible language for patients and caregivers. Requires ability to simplify complex medical concepts without losing accuracy.
Medical Writing Costs & Pricing
Medical writing costs vary significantly based on project type, complexity, writer experience, and whether you hire a freelancer or agency. Here's what to expect:
Hourly Rates
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate (USD) | Hourly Rate (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0-2 years) | $25-50 | £20-40 |
| Mid-Level (3-7 years) | $50-100 | £40-65 |
| Senior (8+ years) | $75-150 | £65-85 |
| Regulatory Specialist | $100-200+ | £85-100+ |
Per-Word Rates
Basic Content
$0.10-0.50
Patient education, blogs
Standard Medical
$0.50-1.00
CME, HCP content
Premium/Regulatory
$1.00-4.00+
Manuscripts, regulatory
Typical Project Costs
| Document Type | Typical Hours | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Abstract | 3-5 hours | $200-500 |
| Blog Post/Article | 4-8 hours | $300-800 |
| Referenced Medical Article | 10-15 hours | $750-1,500 |
| CME Module | 20-40 hours | $2,000-5,000 |
| Journal Manuscript | 40-60 hours | $3,000-10,000 |
| Clinical Study Report | 100-300 hours | $10,000-50,000+ |
Freelance vs. Agency: Which to Choose?
Freelance Medical Writers
Cost
30-50% less than agencies (no overhead markup)
Pros
- + Direct communication with writer
- + More flexible scheduling
- + Lower costs
- + Specialized expertise
- + Personal attention to your project
Cons
- - Single point of failure
- - Limited capacity for large projects
- - You manage the project
Medical Writing Agencies
Cost
30-100% markup over freelance rates
Pros
- + Team of writers for large projects
- + Project management included
- + Quality assurance processes
- + Backup if writer unavailable
- + Established workflows
Cons
- - Significantly higher cost
- - Less direct writer access
- - May assign junior writers
Our Recommendation
Start with freelancers for most projects. Hiring directly is more cost-effective, and you get to work with a specialist who focuses on your project. Consider agencies only for large, multi-document regulatory submissions or when you need a team of writers working simultaneously.
How to Find & Hire a Medical Writer
Define Your Project
Clearly outline document type, therapeutic area, target audience, desired length, deadline, and budget. The more specific, the better quotes you'll receive.
Find Writers
Sources include: AMWA (American Medical Writers Association) directory, freelance platforms (Kolabtree, Upwork), LinkedIn, referrals from colleagues, or medical writing agencies.
Review Portfolios
Request writing samples in similar therapeutic areas or document types. Look for clarity, accuracy, appropriate tone, and adherence to guidelines.
Check Qualifications
Verify advanced degrees, relevant therapeutic experience, regulatory knowledge (if needed), and professional certifications or memberships.
Get Quotes
Request detailed quotes from 2-3 writers. Compare not just price, but experience, timeline, and revision policies. Cheapest isn't always best.
Sign a Contract
Include scope of work, timeline, payment terms, revision limits, confidentiality, and ownership of work product. Protect both parties.
Where to Find Medical Writers
- AMWA Directory - Professional association of medical writers
- EMWA - European Medical Writers Association
- Kolabtree - Freelance platform for scientific experts
- LinkedIn - Search "freelance medical writer" + therapeutic area
- Upwork - General freelance platform (vet carefully)
What Qualifications to Look For
Essential Qualifications
- Advanced degree in life sciences (PhD, PharmD, MD, MS in relevant field)
- Portfolio of relevant writing samples
- Experience in your therapeutic area
- Understanding of target audience
Nice to Have
- AMWA or EMWA membership/certification
- ICH-GCP training (for regulatory)
- Published articles in peer-reviewed journals
- Previous pharma/biotech industry experience
AI-Powered Clinical Documentation
For day-to-day clinical documentation (progress notes, SOAP notes, treatment plans), AI-powered tools offer a faster, more affordable alternative to traditional medical writing services.
PatientNotes: AI Clinical Documentation
Generate professional clinical notes in minutes, not hours. PatientNotes uses AI to transform your patient encounters into structured documentation.
$59
per month
70%
time saved
HIPAA
compliant
When to Use AI vs. Medical Writers
Use AI for:
- + Daily clinical notes (SOAP, progress)
- + Treatment plans
- + Discharge summaries
- + Routine documentation
Use Medical Writers for:
- + Regulatory submissions
- + Peer-reviewed publications
- + CME content
- + Marketing materials
Frequently Asked Questions
What is medical writing?
Medical writing is the creation of scientific and healthcare-related documents. This includes regulatory documents (clinical study reports, NDAs), scientific publications, CME materials, patient education content, and marketing materials for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies.
How much do medical writing services cost?
Costs vary significantly. Freelance medical writers charge $30-200/hour, with most experienced writers at $65-100/hour. Per-word rates range from $0.10 to $4+. A medical manuscript typically costs $2,000-10,000. Agencies charge 30-100% more than freelance rates.
What are the types of medical writing?
The main types include: Regulatory writing (clinical study protocols, CSRs, INDs, NDAs), Scientific publications (journal articles, abstracts, posters), CME/Medical education (training materials, e-learning), Marketing/Promotional (sales materials, websites), and Patient education (health information, instructions).
Should I hire a freelance medical writer or an agency?
Freelancers are more cost-effective (30-50% less) and offer flexibility for most projects. Agencies are better for large, complex projects requiring multiple writers and project management. For most organizations, starting with freelancers is recommended.
What qualifications should a medical writer have?
Look for: advanced degree in life sciences (PhD, PharmD, MD, or related), relevant therapeutic area experience, portfolio of similar work, understanding of regulatory requirements (for regulatory writing), and professional certifications like AMWA or EMWA membership.
How long does a medical writing project take?
Timeline varies by project: abstracts (1-2 days), blog posts (3-5 days), referenced medical articles (1-2 weeks), CME modules (2-4 weeks), journal manuscripts (4-8 weeks), and regulatory documents (weeks to months depending on complexity).