IFAPP and the IFAPP Academy worked together on the idea of fostering certification and recognition which would reflect the professional identity of experts in Medicines Development: this process moved the first steps in 2019, with the formation of a Working Group including representatives from IFAPP, the IFAPP Academy, PharmaTrain and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, who were able to identify about 150 professionals and to invite them to join the initiative. The invitation was warmly welcomed by most of the addressees, who provided their educational, professional, and scientific backgrounds, which indeed satisfied the criteria to receive the award of Global Fellow in Medicines Development.
A digital Global Fellow Award Ceremony was held on 16 July 2020 to recognize those individuals who made significant contributions to the advancement of Pharmaceutical Medicine whilst serving in the biopharmaceutical industry, government, regulatory agencies, clinical research sites, academic institutions or CRO.
In the words of Professor Peter Stonier, Professor of Pharmaceutical Medicine at King´s College (London), the goal of this award is to create a global network of experts which would help to advance Pharmaceutical Medicine as summarized in the following five C’s:
- Champion: Foster Pharmaceutical Medicine as an established profession;
- Communicate: Create awareness of this award’s intrinsic value;
- Connect: Help identify and recruit the next cohorts of Global Fellows;
- Cultivate: Join an IFAPP member association (or IFAPP directly) and support its activities;
- Collaborate: contribute to or participate in the Value-Added Programs.
Dr. Honorio Silva, one of the organizers of the event, summarized the steps which will lead to the title of Global Fellow in Medicines Development, gave also an overview of the meaning of being a Fellow, and closed the ceremony underlining that the first cohort of Global Fellows in Medicines Development is made of 117 professionals from 24 different countries: a real global community!
