DPM Training Programme 2027

The programme is designed to support candidates preparing for the Certificate in Pharmaceutical Medicine (CPM) and Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine (DPM) examinations. Before booking, you should ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the relevant examination.

Most delegates on the programme hold a GMC-recognised medical qualification or are registered with the appropriate medical regulatory body in their home country.

We strongly recommend that participants have at least two year’s experience in pharmaceutical medicine or a related field. Experience in areas such as clinical development, medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, regulatory affairs, or other relevant disciplines will help you gain the maximum benefit from the programme.

The programme is delivered entirely in English. You should therefore be comfortable reading, writing, listening to, and communicating in English.

No formal evidence of English language proficiency is required.

The DPM Training Programme runs annually from February to October.

Although modules are released according to a scheduled timetable, the programme is largely self-paced. Learning materials can be accessed at a time that suits you, and all live sessions are recorded for later viewing.

Delegates receive access to the LMS and programme materials for 24 months from the start of the programme year. Further information can be found in the Terms and Conditions.

If you are preparing for the full Diploma, we recommend completing all modules, and many of our delegates do each year. However, delegates may also book individual modules if they wish to focus on specific topics or examination components, particularly areas that they do not work in on a day-to-day basis.

We recommend reviewing the PharmaTrain syllabus and using that to assess which areas you may need some more support around. As a reminder, the C/DPM examinations and programme are based on the syllabus.

The expert-led live sessions provide a guided introduction to each module and focus on topics that are most likely to appear in the examinations.

Sessions are delivered by subject matter experts and include:

• Presentations covering key syllabus areas
• Examination-focused guidance
• Opportunities to ask questions
• Peer discussion and interaction

If you join the programme after a module’s live sessions have taken place, we recommend watching the session recordings first. They provide an excellent overview of the module content and help direct you to the most important learning resources within the LMS.

The Learning Management System (LMS) is the online platform through which all programme content is delivered. The LMS provides access to:

• Learning materials and resources
• Live session information
• Session recordings
• Discussion forums
• Quizzes and practice questions

Before the programme begins, the Training Team will create your LMS account and send instructions for setting your password.

Modules are released monthly, and you will be enrolled onto each module at the start of its delivery month (usually the first working day).

Unless communicated otherwise by a member of the FPM Training Team, the following timings apply across the programme.

• Modules 1-6 each include two expert-led live sessions, which run from 14:00-17:00 (UK time)
• Modules 7-9 each include one full-day revision session, which run from 10:00-17:00 (UK time)
• All live sessions are delivered via Zoom.

All live sessions are recorded and uploaded to the LMS shortly after delivery (typically within 3 working days), allowing you to catch up at a time that suits you.

Many delegates find it helpful to revisit recordings during their revision, even if they attended the session live. If you miss a session, we recommend:

• Watching the recording as soon as possible.
• Reviewing any accompanying slides or materials.
• Posting any follow-up questions in the module discussion forum.
• Discussing key points with your study group, if you are part of one.

Please note that live sessions provide valuable opportunities to ask questions and interact with faculty and fellow delegates in real time. While attendance is not mandatory, we strongly encourage delegates to attend wherever possible to gain the maximum benefit from the programme.

The programme is managed by the FPM Training Team, who can be contacted at training@fpm.org.uk.

Yes. Each module includes a dedicated discussion forum where delegates can engage with one another, ask questions, and discuss topics with our Expert Trainers.

The live sessions also provide opportunities for discussion and networking with fellow participants.

We strongly encourage delegates to form study groups, as collaborative learning can be highly beneficial during exam preparation.

No. The programme provides the learning materials required to support your studies and exam preparation.

However, if you would like to undertake additional reading, members of the faculty can recommend suitable textbooks and reference materials.

Most learning materials can be downloaded from the LMS, and we encourage delegates to do so when preparing for the examinations.

Some multimedia content, such as videos, may be hosted on external platforms and may not be downloadable.

There are no formal assessments or pass/fail requirements within the programme. Modules 1-6 include two types of optional knowledge checks:

Quiz questions

• Informal checks of understanding
• Used to reinforce learning
• Do not reflect examination format or difficulty

Exam style questions

• Multiple-choice and short-answer questions
• Designed to mirror the format and standard of the examinations
• Useful for exam-focused practice

These activities can be attempted multiple times and are intended to support revision.

Modules 7-9 also include mock examinations, which provide an opportunity to practise under exam-style conditions and receive feedback from our team of former examiners.

Before the live revision session, each mock examination can only be attempted once. This is intentional and helps replicate the experience of sitting the actual examination under timed conditions.

After the live session has been delivered, the mock examination will be reopened on the LMS, allowing you to revisit and reattempt the questions as part of your ongoing revision.

Please note that:

• Only the initial attempt submitted before the published deadline will be marked.
• Personalised feedback is only provided on submissions completed before the live session.
• Any attempts made after the live session are for self-study and revision purposes and will not receive additional marking or feedback.

We strongly recommend completing the mock examination before the live session to gain the full benefit of personalised feedback and the subsequent review during the revision session.

The CPM and DPM examinations are administered by the FPM Examinations Team. Your primary contact for examination enquiries is: exams@fpm.org.uk.

Although both the training programme and examinations are delivered by FPM, a clear separation is maintained between the two. For authoritative advice on examination regulations, eligibility, applications, or results, you should contact the Examinations Team directly.

Many common questions may also be answered on the FPM Examination FAQs page.

Yes – for the live session component of the programme. To record CPD activities, you should retain:

• Your certificate of attendance
• A short reflective statement describing:
  • What you learned
  • How it relates to your current practice
  • How it supports Good Medical Practice

If you are enrolled on PMST under the 2021 Curriculum, the learning gained from the programme may also support the development of relevant capabilities in practice.

Certificates of attendance are issued by the Training Team following the completion of each module month.

If you are unable to complete your booking online, require an invoice, or need assistance with a company-funded booking, please contact training@fpm.org.uk.

If you have booked Module 8 (SAQ Examination Preparation) and/or Module 9 (CAP Examination Preparation) but subsequently decide not to proceed, you may choose one of the following options:

• Request a full refund; or
• Defer your place to the following year’s programme at no additional cost.

Please contact: training@fpm.org.uk to discuss your preferred option.

We strongly encourage delegates to form study groups, as many previous participants have found collaborative learning helpful when preparing for the examinations.

There are several ways to connect with other delegates:

• Introduce yourself in the module discussion forums on the LMS.
• Use the discussion forums to identify delegates with similar study goals, exam timelines, or areas of interest.
• Attend the live sessions and engage in discussions with your peers.
• Ask the Training Team if you would like support connecting with other delegates who are interested in joining a study group.

Study groups can be used to:

• Discuss challenging topics and share knowledge.
• Review exam-style questions together.
• Maintain motivation and accountability throughout the programme.
• Share revision strategies and learning resources.
• Practise answering SAQ and CAP-style questions.

There is no requirement to join a study group, and many delegates choose to study independently.

However, those who participate in study groups often find them a valuable source of support, encouragement, and exam preparation throughout the programme.

Formal training and qualifications in pharmaceutical medicine can support careers across a wide range of areas, including:

• Pharmaceutical companies
• Biotechnology organisations
• Contract research organisations (CROs)
• Regulatory agencies
• Medical affairs
• Clinical development
• Drug safety and pharmacovigilance
• Regulatory affairs
• Health economics and market access

For more information about careers in pharmaceutical medicine, please visit the FPM Careers pages.

All live sessions are delivered via Zoom. Joining details will be sent to you by email in advance of each session, and you can also access the sessions directly through the LMS.

Before your first live session

To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend testing your Zoom setup before attending your first session. Please check that:

• Zoom is permitted by your organisation’s IT and firewall settings.
• Your microphone is working correctly.
• Your camera is functioning, if you wish to use it.
• You have a stable internet connection.
• You can successfully access both the LMS and Zoom platform.

Resolving any technical issues in advance will help you to get the most from the live sessions and avoid unnecessary disruption.

If you need any technical support with the LMS or otherwise, please contact training@fpm.org.uk.