May 30, 2007 — TAMPA, FL — Enhanced credibility, peer respect and recognition, greater opportunities for professional advancement, and a competitive edge when job seeking are some of the benefits that pharmaceutical manufacturing professionals can gain with certification as a Certified Pharmaceutical Industry Professional SM (CPIPSM) made available through the ISPE Professional Certification Commission (ISPE-PCC).
This new credentialing program offers the first competency-based international certification for pharmaceutical professionals and covers a range of competencies from drug product development through manufacturing. Candidates are assessed through demonstrated education, experience, and a rigorous examination.
The CPIP program is hailed by many in the industry as beneficial to team leaders, allowing the ability to impact greater quality and efficiency in their specific roles.
“Our industry benefits from employees certified in diverse knowledge, and with the ability to apply this knowledge across all segments of our industry,” said Ali Afnan, PhD, of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
According to Donovan Wearne, CEO of SeerPharma Pty Ltd., “SeerPharma provides expert QA and GxP consulting services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical devices industries. In our business our reputation and success absolutely depends on the technical knowledge, innovation and responsiveness to change of our consulting team.
“The CPIP credential is therefore a perfect fit with our corporate vision and aspirations for our consultants and business,” Wearne says. “We intend to strategically use the CPIP credential now and in the future to qualify our team and support their ongoing professional development.”
The 2007 exams for the new certification for pharmaceutical manufacturing professionals will be available to the industry from July 9-August 4, and from November 5-December 8.
According to Jerry Roth, P.E., director of professional certification, likely candidates for this credential are those who work in drug product development; drug product manufacturing operations; facilities/process engineering; facility and process equipment manufacturing and supply; project management; regulatory compliance/ QA/Validation; and technical support.
Eligibility applications should be submitted at least 60 days prior to exam dates. Those CPIP candidates deemed eligible by the PCC will be authorized to register for and take the exam.
The examination will be available in Thomson Prometric Professional Testing Centers located in major cities around the world. Eligible candidates will be able to make a reservation on-line at a local testing center close to their work or home. To obtain a CPIP eligibility application (free download) or to purchase the CPIP Study Guide, visit www.ispe-pcc.org.
About ISPE
ISPE, the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, is the society of choice for more than 23,000 pharmaceutical manufacturing professionals in 81 countries around the globe. 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 and industry leaders. Founded in 1980, ISPE has worldwide headquarters in Tampa, FL; its European office in Brussels, Belgium; and its Asia Pacific office in Singapore. Visit www.ispe.org for additional Society news and information.
About the ISPE-PCC
The ISPE Professional Certification Commission (PCC), an autonomous 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 12 Commissioners: senior-level industry professionals representing Argentina, Australia, Japan, 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.