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DPM Training Programme

The Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine (DPM) training programme has been designed by FPM to prepare candidates for the Certificate in Pharmaceutical Medicine (CPM) and Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine (DPM) exams.

The programme is mapped to the PharmaTrain syllabus, on which the CPM and DPM exams are based, aiming to improve knowledge across six broad topic areas, with three additional exam technique courses that explore technique and question practice across the three types of papers that feature in the CPM and DPM exams.

Our DPM Training Programme won Silver at the Association Excellence Awards 2024. Find out more here.

The training programme is run by the FPM Training team. If you have a question about the programme that is not answered on these pages, please contact training@fpm.org.uk.

The exams are run by the FPM Exams team. All enquiries about the exams should be directed to exams@fpm.org.uk. Please note, your query may also be answered on our dedicated exam FAQ page so we recommend you view that first.

How will you learn?

Programme content is delivered through FPM’s learning management system (LMS), providing flexibility that allows participants to make more effective use of their time, as well as offering focused support and resources.

The first six modules cover specific topics, delivered over consecutive calendar months, and feature guided learning paths containing a range of self-study materials, as well as live expert-led sessions, delivered via Zoom to allow for face-to-face interaction of more complex topics and the opportunity for Q&A.

The self-study materials provided in the programme during a module month may include:

Recorded presentations
Discussion forums
Quizzes
Downloadable resources and reports
Practice exam questions for each topic area

We begin the delivery of these content modules in February and finish the delivery in July, before we move onto the exam preparation courses in September.

The final three modules are exam preparation courses. Each module provides you with an opportunity to sit a mock exam paper on the LMS, receive feedback on your script, and attend a live session running on a specific day. Each live session will focus on exam technique and provide helpful hints and tips for the three types of papers found in the CPM and the DPM exams: multiple choice questions (MCQs), short answer questions (SAQ) and the critical appraisal paper (CAP).

We offer Modules 1 – 6 on demand. This means that you can continue to book onto these modules even after the expert led sessions have been delivered. You will be able to access all the learning content and make use of the recordings of the session on the LMS. However, if you are taking the exams this year, we highly recommend following the programme as designed.

Kindly note, the exam preparation modules i.e., modules 7-9, are not offered on demand. Booking deadlines for each exam preparation module are listed below.

Please scroll down for module dates, timings, and booking information.

Price options

Modules 1 – 6 (Price per module)

FPM members: £750
PMST students: £675
Non-members: £875

Modules 1 – 6 (Bundle price)

FPM members: £4000
PMST students: £3625
Non-members: £4675

Modules 7 – 9 (Price per module)

FPM members: £375
PMST students: £350
Non-members: £450

Modules 7 – 9 (Bundle price)

FPM members: £1000
PMST students: £925
Non-members: £1175

To see members only rates please login to My FPM and then book.

Please see our booking terms and conditions and our privacy policy

Kindly note, the exam preparation modules i.e., modules 7-9, are not offered on demand.

CPD Credits

If you attend the live sessions for this programme, you can use them as CPD for your appraisal.

To do so you’ll need to provide:

evidence (certificate of attendance), and
reflection, specifically a couple of paragraphs on what you learnt, what effect it will have on your current practice and how it relates to Good Medical Practice.
if you are registered for PMST on the 2021 Curriculum you may also be able to use learning gained from the programme to support the development of your capabilities in practice.

Upload these into your portfolio and self-allocate your CPD points at 0.25 credits per 15 mins.

Contact:

If you are unable to complete your booking online or you would like to be invoiced, please email

Training@fpm.org.uk

Dates for your diary

For modules 1 - 6, each module includes two live sessions. Recordings of live sessions will be made available shortly after the stated live dates, for those who have other commitment on the day of live delivery and for revision purposes.

As for Modules 7 - 9, there is one live session per module focused on exam technique, question practice, and reviewing model answers. You will also have the opportunity to sit a mock exam and have this marked ahead of the live session. Recording of the live session will be made available shortly after the stated live dates, for those who have other commitment on the day of live delivery and for revision purposes.

All live sessions are delivered on Zoom.

Thursday 6 February and Thursday 20 February (both 14:00-17:00 UK time)

Dr Sharon McCullough introduces the DPM Training Programme

Modules

Module 1: Regulatory Affairs

More information

Module 2: Statistics and Data Management

More information

Module 3: Discovery and Early Development

More information

Module 4: Clinical Development

More information

Module 5: Drug Safety

More information

Module 6: Communication, Value and Access

More information

Module 7: MCQ Exam Revision Course

More information

Module 8: SAQ Exam Revision Course

More information

Module 9: CAP Exam Revision Course

More information

Find out what past delegates had to say

The revision modules really helped me improve my exam technique and helpfully directed my final few weeks of preparation. I would highly recommend these courses to anyone sitting the DPM and would spend time going through the additional material provided through the course modules.

Attending this training programme was a really valuable experience for me. With limited prior knowledge about the breadth of pharmaceutical medicine, the DPM training programme provided me with an invaluable structure to learn about the various different elements of the specialty. I now have a knowledge about the industry and the physicians role within in it, that I don't know how I would have realised without attending the training programme.

This was a very good, well-run programme that helped me develop a good foundational knowledge of the curriculum relevant to the DPM. It was also engaging and relevant to my day-to-day work. Thank you!

Excellent programme. The presenter and speakers were all very friendly. Really enjoyed the presentations and the live sessions. Also, the flexibility of the course.

The content was relevant, and all the contributing experts were enthusiastic and supportive. The admin team / behind the scenes team worked well at keeping participants in the loop about bookings and any technical issues. Thank you! The content was well mapped to the curriculum.

I can attest to how challenging the DPM is, and in some ways it reminds me of an ‘old fashioned’ exam as it required sustained work and retention of knowledge. The difference compared with other membership exams is that you won’t always get this ‘by osmosis’ as most of us in Pharmaceutical Medicine only work in a specific area or two maximum. Because of this, pursing the DPM is really invaluable and based on personal experience, a structured programme like this is the best way forward. Dr Marc Watson FFPM 2016 DPM awardee

By the end of this course, you will:

Further your understanding of key aspects of pharmaceutical medicine and the industry.
Gain a focused approach to learning and exam preparation.
Develop your confidence to sit the exam.
Benefit from a comprehensive range of learning materials that will aid you in your professional development.
Gain the knowledge needed to develop and maintain competence, ethics and integrity and the highest professional standards.

Who is this course for?

Anyone who wishes to prepare for the Certificate in Pharmaceutical Medicine (CPM) and Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine (DPM) exams.
Anyone who has taken the DPM exam previously and requires refresher training.
Anyone wishing to improve/update their knowledge in a topic or topic area.
Anyone requiring the flexibility of a modular training programme.
Anyone preferring a guided approach to training and exam preparation.
Although the course is designed specifically to meet the requirements of the DPM syllabus, you do not need to be a Pharmaceutical Physician, have a medical degree, be enrolled in PMST or be planning to sit the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine exam to attend.

Booking Information

Booking are now open for the 2025 programme, where the modules may be bought individually or as a series.

You are provided with a license to access the materials contained in the LMS for 24 months from the start of the programme. Kindly note that this offer remains valid irrespective of when you choose to enrol onto the programme.

Please note, to access this course, you will need a computer and a good internet connection, and some means of making your own revision notes.

Refund policy

Providing participants have not accessed their programme:

cancellations up to 1 week before the start date of a module or a revision training course a full refund will be given.
cancellations between 1 week and the published start date of a module or revision training course a 50% refund will be given.

In addition:

in the event of cancellation by FPM a full refund will be given.
if you have booked the SAQ and/or CAP exam technique revision courses but subsequently decide not to take them, you can request a full refund from the Training Team, or request that you defer onto the following year.

These terms are also outlined on our Terms and Conditions page.

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