The figure of the medical writer is quite unknown. It is a thriving profession in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, in communications in the health area and in publishing; however, even within these areas the primary duties of the writer are unknown as are the types of documents that benefit from their highly specialized work. This publication by Esteve Foundation aims to aims to shed light on at least some of these issues by showing us who they are, what they do and how they work.

Fernando Rico-Villademoros and Vicente Alfaro, coordinators of this new publication, are members of the Association of Young Spanish Writers of Medical Texts, which aims to facilitate the exchange of information among these professionals. This organization aims to vindicate the role of a profession that in the United States has a trade association, the American Writers Association, with over 5,600 members and a 60-year history.

After outlining the evolution of medical writing in Spain, the first part of the book delves into the profession from its role in different areas: pharmaceutical companies, contract research organisations (CRO), health information agencies, and independent professionals or freelancers. The second half of the book covers aspects relevant to the practice of this profession as the continuing education or the access to sources of information.