HMT General Information

The Higher Medical Training programme (applicable to those already undertaking training with a National Training Number issued before 31st July 2007)
The Higher Medical Training programme in Pharmaceutical Medicine takes a minimum of four years, including the two years prior to taking the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine examination. Successful completion of the training programme leads to a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), the holder of which is eligible to apply for entry to the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK. Please refer to the full training programme document for further information.

The responsible entities
The Faculty is responsible, through the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians' Training Board (JRCPTB), to the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB), which is the UK designated competent authority for specialist training. The Lead Postgraduate Dean is responsible for issuing training numbers to successful enrolees and for the annual review of trainee progress. The JRCPTB oversees the training programme and is the agent through which the Faculty will make recommendations on programmes and trainees to the PMETB. On the recommendation of the JRCPTB the PMETB awards the CCT, which allows the doctor's name to be added to the Specialist Register of the GMC.

Individual guidance and assistance
Specialist trainees are assisted through their training programmes by an Educational Supervisor, who will normally be at the trainee's place of work and who may differ for parts of the programme to ensure appropriate expertise in all areas of the curriculum. Each specialist trainee will also be assigned a Senior Specialty Adviser (SSA), who is integral to the design of the personalised training programme with the specialist trainee and Educational Supervisor, provides quality assurance to the training programme, and monitors progress through the review process. The SSA is responsible to the Lead Postgraduate Dean. In addition, the SSA serves to advise and assist the specialist trainee in the event of changes to or difficulties in achieving the training programme.

Entry requirements
The requirements for entry to Higher Medical Training in pharmaceutical medicine were as follows:
1. a minimum of two years of General Professional Training (GPT) in approved SHO posts involving direct patient care and including a minimum of 12 months' experience of prescribing and observing the effects of drugs given in a wide range of acute and non-acute situations. Multidisciplinary rotations are highly recommended, but not required. This is subject to approval by the JRCPTB.
2. appointment through a transparent process to a post within the pharmaceutical industry, the regulatory authorities, or academia wherein resources and support can be made available for undertaking a Faculty/JRCPTB approved training programme. Approval of both the post and the training programme will be required for enrolment.
3. a scientific qualification (e.g. BSc) and/or postgraduate medical or scientific diploma or degree (e.g. MSc, PhD, MD, MRCP, MRCPath) is desirable but not essential
4. membership of the Faculty
5. registered with the GMC
6. based in the UK

Fees for Higher Medical Training

  • Enrolment fee payable to JRCPTB: £625 one-off payment for full programme
  • Faculty membership fee payable to Faculty: view current subscription fees
  • HMT administration and assessment fees payable to Faculty

The annual fee payable to the Faculty by participants undertaking Higher Medical Training in pharmaceutical medicine will be £800 (as of January 2008). The fee for subsequent years will fall on the anniversary of the training start date. This is the date from which the National Training Number (NTN) is effective and the date from which training may be accredited towards the CCT. Regular invoices will be sent to participants on the anniversary of their training start date. Please note that all fees paid are non-refundable.

Trainees who are out of programme for more than 3 months due to parental leave may be eligible for a reduction in FPM HMT/PMST fees subject to formal agreement of the time out of programme by the Postgraduate Dean. Please note that your CCT date may also need to be amended. Trainees in this situation should write to the Postgraduate Dean, care of the Faculty office, prior to the time out of programme. The letter should indicate the anticipated time out of programme and if possible the start date in which the leave will commence and the anticipated date of return.

  • Diploma examination fee payable to Faculty: view Diploma information
  • Fees for taught courses payable to provider: view approved modular courses for 2008
  • Fees for CCT payable to PMETB: £750 (as of 1 April 2007)