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Types of membership

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine is a professional membership organisation and standard-setting body. Founded in 1989, we are a Faculty of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK.

Our mission is to advance the science and practice of pharmaceutical medicine by working to develop and maintain competence, ethics and integrity and the highest professional standards in the specialty for the benefit of the public. FPM seeks, through its activities, to bring about an improvement in the health of the public.

Our members work in diverse environments; from front line clinical trials, to pharmaceutical marketing and medicines regulation. All members of FPM are medically qualified.

There are four main categories of membership: Affiliate, Associate (Training), Member (MFPM) and Fellow (FFPM).

We also have Honorary Fellowship, Honorary Membership and Membership by Distinction.

In this section

Fellowship (FFPM)

Fellowship of FPM recognises an individual’s significant contribution to both the practice and science of Pharmaceutical Medicine and to the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine. Fellowship of FPM is awarded to eligible Members (MFPM) who apply and are approved by the Fellowship Committee and the FPM Board. Fellowship application forms are emailed to eligible Members in February of each year. Criteria and information about how the applications are assessed is available on the Fellowship Election page.

Membership (MFPM)

Membership of FPM and the right to use the postnominals MFPM is open to eligible physicians who hold the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine, the Diploma in Human Pharmacology or the Diploma in Experimental Therapeutics awarded by Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine awarded by Free University, Brussels, or hold the Diploma of Advanced Studies in Pharmaceutical Medicine awarded by the University of Basel/ECPM. Information on becoming a Member here.

Associate membership

Associate (Trainee) membership applies only to those enrolled on the Pharmaceutical Medicine Specialty Training (PMST) programme. Associate membership is contingent on enrolment in PMST and the issue of an NTN (National Training Number) by the JRCPTB (Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board).

Affiliate membership

Affiliate membership is open to any physician who works in or is able to demonstrate a professional interest and connection with pharmaceutical medicine. Applicants must possess a medical qualification listed in the WHO Directory and current registration with the GMC or the relevant professional body in the country in which they are practising or where they were awarded their primary medical qualification.

Affiliate members are eligible for the member’s discounted rate for events organised by FPM. They will also receive the FPM newsletter and any mailings sent by FPM to the membership as a whole. Affiliate membership, however, does not confer the right to vote on FPM matters or the right to append any postnominals or words denoting membership of FPM. Information on becoming an Affiliate member here.

Honorary Fellowship, Honorary Membership and Membership by Distinction

Each year, FPM Fellows are invited to nominate exceptional individuals for one of the following awards.  Criteria and information about how the nominations are assessed is available on the Fellowship Election page.

Honorary Fellowship

This is the highest honour FPM can bestow, it recognises the recipient’s eminence within their own field and their outstanding contribution to pharmaceutical medicine.

On the recommendation of the Fellowship and Awards Committee, the Board of Trustees, may bestow Honorary Fellowship on persons of eminence who may or may not be members of FPM, and who have made exceptional contributions in the fields of research, teaching or the practice of pharmaceutical medicine, or medical or general science, or society. Honorary Fellows need not be medically qualified. Such honours are strictly limited.

Honorary Membership

On the recommendation of the Fellowship and Awards Committee, the Board of Trustees may bestow Honorary Membership on persons who are not members of FPM, and who have made significant contributions in the fields of research, teaching or the practice of pharmaceutical medicine, or medical or general science, or society. Honorary Members need not be medically qualified. Such honours are strictly limited.

Membership by Distinction

On the recommendation of the Fellowship and Awards Committee, the Board of Trustees may bestow Membership by Distinction on pharmaceutical physicians who have made a significant contribution in the fields of research, teaching or the practice of pharmaceutical medicine. This is an exceptional route to Membership for individuals who have made a significant contribution beyond the normal day-to-day practice of pharmaceutical medicine. These awards are limited and reserved for exceptional physicians and may not be made every year. Members by Distinction have the same rights, privileges and obligations as Members. Members by Distinction will be able to apply for Ordinary Fellowship (FFPM).