ISPE draws up new certification for pharma professionals
The ISPE Professional Certification Commission (PCC) has finalised the eligibility criteria for the new Certified Pharmaceutical Industry Professional (CPIP) certification - the first professional certification for pharmaceutical professionals worldwide.
The ISPE Professional Certification Commission (PCC) has finalised the eligibility criteria for the new Certified Pharmaceutical Industry Professional (CPIP) certification - the first professional certification for pharmaceutical professionals worldwide.
The credential covers a range of disciplines from drug product development to manufacturing and has been devised by experts from around the world alongside the ISPE-PCC. It is designed to highlight a professional's "broad industry knowledge and experience" and ability to apply "key competencies", such as technical knowledge, leadership skills, and innovative problem solving, and has been validated by industry practitioners as representing "current global industry practices and incorporating emerging trends".
Two educational pre-requisites have been established for CPIP examination: the first is that an applicant should have a STEM (science/technical/engineering/math) bachelor's degree or globally equivalent university degree or higher from an educational institution accredited by a generally-recognised accrediting body, plus five years of pharmaceutical industry-related experience; the second, for holders of non-STEM bachelor's degrees or globally equivalent university degrees or higher, is 10 years of pharmaceutical industry-related experience.
A handbook containing the eligibility application and instructions, as well as a study guide, will be available in late October/early November 2006. The validity period and re-certification requirement for CPIP is currently under consideration and will be announced in the near future.
"The global pharmaceutical industry is increasingly challenged to find innovative solutions for improving product safety, quality, development and manufacturing," said Jerry Roth, ISPE's director of professional certification. "The CPIP credential recognises those professionals that possess the diverse industry experience and knowledge necessary to foster innovation in the pharmaceutical industry."