April 10, 2006 — /ISPE/ — TAMPA, Fla. — The ISPE Professional Certification Commission (PCC) today announced the eligibility criteria for the Certified Pharmaceutical Industry Professional (CPIP), a new competency-based pharmaceutical industry credential. The CPIP is the first professional certification for pharmaceutical professionals worldwide covering the range of disciplines from drug product development through manufacturing. “The global pharmaceutical industry is increasingly challenged to find innovative solutions for improving product safety and quality, product development, and manufacturing,” said Jerry Roth, PE, ISPE’s Director of Professional Certification.” The CPIP credential recognizes those professionals that possess the diverse industry experience and knowledge necessary to foster innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. This recognition is what separates the CPIP apart from other professionals.”
Industry subject matter experts from around the world assisted the ISPE-PCC in developing a description of pharmaceutical industry professional best practices for the CPIP. Pharmaceutical industry practitioners participated in a survey in January, which captured both quantitative and qualitative data and validated the CPIP role as representing current global industry practices and incorporating emerging trends.
The successful candidate for the competency-based CPIP credential will have broad industry knowledge and experience and will apply key competencies such as technical knowledge, leadership skills, and innovative problem solving. All professionals working in the pharmaceutical industry may apply, but all must meet five of nine key requirements falling within the scope of three competencies: leadership and professionalism, integration/innovation/change advocacy, and quality and continuous improvement focus.
Recognizing the diversity of educational backgrounds in the industry, two education pre-requisites have been established. The first category requires an applicant to 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-recognized accrediting body, plus five years of industry related experience.
A second category is open to holders of non-STEM bachelor’s degrees or globally equivalent university degrees or higher from an educational institution accredited by a generally-recognized accrediting body, plus ten years of pharmaceutical industry-related experience.
After being determined eligible by the ISPE-PCC, the candidate may register for the CPIP examination. The examination will include seven knowledge elements regarding the technical knowledge competency. The CPIP credential will be awarded upon successfully passing the examination.
An Application Handbook containing the eligibility application and instructions as well as a Study Guide will be available to candidates in late October to early November 2006.
The validity period and re-certification requirement for the CPIP credential is being considered by the ISPE-PCC and will be announced in the near future.
To learn more about the CPIP credential and the CPIP international practice analysis results visit http://www.ispe-pcc.org.
About the ISPE Professional Certification Commission
The ISPE Professional Certification Commission (PCC), a governing body within ISPE, develops certification programs to benefit credential holders and their employers, as well as government, academia and the public health product consumer. The PCC is composed of 14 Commissioners: senior-level industry professionals representing Australia, Japan, The Netherlands, North America, and the United Kingdom, as well as academia, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the general public. Visit www.ispe-pcc.org for additional certification program information.
About ISPE
ISPE is the Society of choice for more than 23,000 pharmaceutical manufacturing professionals in 80 countries. ISPE aims to be the catalyst for “Engineering Pharmaceutical Innovation” by providing Members with opportunities to develop technical knowledge, exchange practical experience, and collaborate with global regulatory agencies. Founded in 1980, ISPE has worldwide headquarters in Tampa, Florida; an Asia Pacific office in Singapore; a European office in Brussels, Belgium; and Affiliates and Chapters in 19 countries around the world. Visit www.ispe.org for additional Society news and information.
For more information contact:
Valerie Kestner
ISPE Public Relations Manager
+1-813-960-2105 x 277
[email protected]