How I passed the Certificate in Pharmaceutical Medicine as a Non-Physician
Posted on: Monday 17 November 2025
Author: James Howlett
To start off, could you tell us a bit about your background and current role?
I’m currently the interim Medical Advisor at a generics company, having worked across Medical Information, Medical Innovation, and Medical Review over the past few years at MSD and Zentiva. A type 1 diabetes diagnosis at 12 sparked my initial interest in science. That led to a summer job in the local pharmacy, then a degree in pharmacology with a focus on molecular pharmacology, cryo-electron microscopy, and personalised medicine.
What inspired you to take the CPM?
I’d been looking for some substantial training in medical affairs, something to formalise what I’d picked up on the job. I saw a few former colleagues posting about completing the DPM on LinkedIn. Curiosity (and a hint of masochism) took over, so I signed up.
As someone who isn’t a physician, did you have any reservations before enrolling in the CPM?
Naturally. The name alone makes you wonder if you’ll spend half the course bluffing through clinical nuances. I wasn’t convinced at first it would suit someone without a medical degree, but while the content leans clinical, a stethoscope certainly isn’t required. The emphasis is on regulation and systems thinking, rather than clinical practice (though the latter certainly helps).
Were there any particular training courses, resources or materials that you found especially helpful?
The DPM Training Programme provided a solid framework for the revision. When I needed to dig deeper (out of curiosity more than necessity), I turned to the usual suspects: PubMed, regulatory agency websites, and ICH documents.
What’s undersold, however, is being able to discuss the nuances with Sharon and the DPM team. They’re excellent at bridging theory and practice (though ironically, exactly what the exam doesn’t test, but the day job certainly does).
How did you find the actual exam went?
As joyful as any exam can be…
If someone was starting the CPM today as a non-physician, what would your top three pieces of advice be?
1. Use the syllabus spreadsheet religiously. It’s easy to slip down rabbit holes, so stick to what’s actually on there.
2. Space your revision and prioritise sleep. (Read Why We Sleep by Professor Matthew Walker before you start)
3. Don’t obsess over clinical knowledge. There are areas where physicians naturally have the edge. Focus instead on understanding how the regulatory frameworks, ethics, and pharmacovigilance systems actually work. Understanding how agencies think will get you further than trying to play catch-up on years of med school.
How did you celebrate when you found out you’d passed?
I rang my mum first thing, then opened a bottle of Gelber Muskateller (my favourite if anyone is after recommendations).
Do you think the CPM is valuable for other non-physicians considering a career in pharmaceutical medicine?
Absolutely. The biggest value is perspective; proper insight into the why, when, and how of what other functions do. That’s hard to get unless you’ve sat in those seats yourself. For me, especially in generics where roles are rarely neatly defined, understanding the decisions and constraints other teams face has been invaluable.
And yes, while the full Diploma isn’t open to us mere mortals without an MD, the Certificate alone proves you understand the broader medical landscape in the pharmaceutical industry, not just your corner of it.