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Types of membership

The strength of our discipline and of FPM is that our members work across a diverse range of careers; from front line clinical trials, to pharmaceutical marketing and medicines regulation.

Membership is open to medically qualified practioners who work in, or have a professional interest in, pharmaceutical medicine.

There are four main categories of membership:

  • Associate (Training)
  • Member (MFPM)
  • Affiliate
  • Fellow (FFPM)

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

In this section

Routes to membership infographic
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Associate membership

If you are enrolled in the Pharmaceutical Medicine Specialty Training (PMST) programme you will automatically become an Associate member of FPM following the issue of your NTN (National Training Number) by the JRCPTB (Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board).

On the successful completion of PMST you will then eligible to become a full member of FPM, via a fast-track application process.

Membership (MFPM)

Membership of FPM and the right to use the postnominals MFPM is open to medical practioners who hold either 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.

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.

You must also have achieved a minimum of two years’ experience in a pharmaceutical medical role.

You can find more information on becoming a Member here.

Affiliate membership

Affiliate membership is open to any medical practioner 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. You can find more information on becoming an Affiliate member here.

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 January of each year. Criteria and information about how the applications are assessed is available on the Fellowship Election page.

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).