Under the umbrella of the IFAPP Academy’s Value Added Programs and Services, offering continuing professional development initiatives and avenues for networking for our expanding learning community, the Conversations with the Academy webinar programs have garnered enthusiastic engagement.
In the third event in the series Dr. Mark Lightowler, CEO, Phorix Limited, highlighted The Role of Digital Tools in Changing Health Behavior, exploring the evidence for behavioral change parameters – e.g., physical activity, medication adherence, smoking cessation — to be considered in health outcome programs, in tandem with patient engagement tools. While evaluating how innovative digital tools are unlocking our understanding of behavior and our ability to change, Dr. Lightowler shared insights and resources to promote behavioral change in the workplace.
Following on, Dr. Birka Lehmann, Senior Expert Drug Regulatory Affairs, reviewed theNew European Regulation for Clinical Trials, stressing the need for further legislative changes to drive a more harmonized approach by regulatory agencies granting clinical trials and Ethics Committees agreements. Dr. Lehmann outlined the transition with the regulations, which underscore the harmonization of conditions, emphasizing the new challenging interactions needed by regulatory agencies, Ethics Committees, and applicants. New timelines have to be respected by all involved partners. That e-handling of applications and approvals is imperative. Don’t miss the recording.
We express our sincere appreciation for the invaluable inputs and contributions from our expert faculty and hosts. We are encouraged by your active participation at these events and look forward to your continued support and engagement.
The vast majority of professionals created, over the years, a strong image of their professional identity: this happens not only in Life Sciences (where most if not all professionals have a clear identity, like Oncologists, Biotechnologists, Molecular Biologists, among others), but also professionals working in legal matters, economics, physics, et cetera.
Some years ago, while discussing this matter among IFAPP officers, we realized that professionals working in Pharmaceutical Medicine were lacking a Professional title. Indeed, most may identify themselves based on their medical certification (pneumologist, infectiologist), but this title frequently has no more link with their present job role.
Working Group Created
Our discussion was then closed with the unanimous idea that we had to build our professional image of global experts in Pharmaceutical Medicine. According to the IFAPP style, a working group under the leadership of Dr. Honorio Silva, IFAPP Past President and current IFAPP Academy President, was formed to create a professional certification path involving combinations of the postgraduate academic education and continuing professional development along with professional experience and contribution to the fields of Clinical Research and Medicines Development. Three professional certification levels: Certification in Medicines Development (CMD), offered by IFAPP Academy and IFAPP, Specialist in Medicines Development (SMD offered by PharmaTrain and IFAPP) and the Global Fellow in Medicines Development (GFMD, offered by IFAPP Academy and IFAPP with the support of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine), were formed. A scoring system was created, aimed at evaluating the contribution of each professional based on Education, Contribution to the Profession (presentations, publications, experience, patents), and contributions to the external Awareness of Pharmaceutical Medicine as a discipline for the GFMD.
To our knowledge, this is a unique certification approach organized by biomedical professional associations.
Pilot Experience
The Working Group arranged a pilot experience to assess the accuracy of the criteria for the various domains. They distributed Individual invitations during the 4th Quarter 2019 to a group of selected candidates meeting the above criteria. A total of 117 applications were submitted, evaluated, and approved. The domains and scoring systems were thus validated. Initially, the award ceremony was to be held during ICPM 2020 (Rome, March 2020), but the event was cancelled due to Covid-19. The ceremony was held virtually on July 16th, 2020. Awardees were invited to join the event and receive their certification.
Looking Ahead
This project is the first step of a long journey. IFAPP and IFAPP Academy are committed to inviting many more professionals to be part of the community of Global Fellows. We are expecting all members will be involved in a lifetime program of continuous professional growth and contributions to leverage health at national and global levels. Join us in the GFMD community! Be part of an international team devoted to the development of safe and efficacious drugs for the benefit of patients worldwide. More details will be distributed shortly on the process for the identification of the second cohort of GFMD.
Domenico Criscuolo, MD, PhD, GFMD
on behalf of the IFAPP/IFAPP Academy Certification WG
Ana B has extensive professional experience in Medical Affairs, Marketing, and senior Business Management. We look forward to her contributions to the sustained growth of the Academy and achieving our mission and goals.
Dr. Ana B. Salgado is a highly motivated and energetic pharmaceutical business executive with extensive global experience.
A physician by training, after three years of practicing medicine in the emergency room setting, Dr. Salgado started her pharmaceutical career as Medical Affairs Manager in Roche- Colombia. Her high affinity for change and continuous learning took her career into marketing and the commercial business. She joined Pfizer, where she occupied positions of increasing responsibility in marketing at a country level (Colombia) and later, at regional (Latin America, Europe) and global levels. She worked on products and portfolios across several therapeutic categories including anti-infectives, anti-inflammatories, and neuroscience in collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams around the world. Dr. Salgado was responsible for the launch of Celebrex in Latin America, several neuroscience launches in Europe (Zeldox, Relpax, Lyrica) and she led the Global Team for Aricept (in an alliance collaboration with Eisai – Japan).
Expanding her knowledge into the commercial business, Dr. Salgado served in business operations roles at regional and global level. She became the Chief of Staff for the Established Products/ Emerging Markets Business Unit at Pfizer, a business unit with a $25B yearly turnover. In these roles, Dr. Salgado led and participated in several large and complex corporate initiatives including the mergers of Pfizer with Warner Lambert, Pharmacia and Wyeth; several company reorganizations and the creation of the Established Products Business Unit. Before leaving Pfizer, Dr. Salgado led a global transformation to a customer centric – digitally enabled marketing model.
Dr. Salgado received her medical degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia. She is currently pursuing a Certificate in Financial Planning.
The International Conference of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ICPM) is the largest event for the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Pharmaceutical Medicine (IFAPP).
ICPM is held every two or three years and is aimed to provide state of the art information in key areas for our discipline and profession. ICPM 2018 was held in Tokyo, September 27th – 29th, (www.icpm2018tokyo.com) in collaboration with the Japanese Association of Pharmaceutical Medicine (http://www.japhmed.org) and brought together around 400 representatives from the pharmaceutical, clinical research, and regulatory arenas from all over the world.
Gustavo Kesselring, MD International Affairs, IFAPP
“Attending the International Conference of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ICPM) is an outstanding opportunity to learn about the news trends in pharmaceutical medicine and medicines development, besides networking with world class faculty from academia, pharmaceutical companies, and government officials in a friendly environment.
Since 2006, in Seoul, I have attended all ICPMs. Being in Tokyo this year, attending the latest ICPM, I am still thrilled about how Pharmaceutical Medicine can motivate people from all parts of the world to get together and discuss the Future of Medicines Development. Hope you don´t miss the ICPMs in the coming years.”
Dr. Marcos O. Perez III receiving his CMD Certificate
From left to right: Drs. Gustavo Kesselring, Warachal Eileen Faison (with CMD Certificate), and Honorio Silva
Dr. Honorio Silva Introduces the Graduates from the IFAPP Academy Program
Students graduating from the Program were invited to attend ICPM 2018 in Tokyo. Although not all of the students were able to make the trip for the ceremony, Dr Honorio Silva honored each of them through a presentation that included their pictures, job titles, and affiliations.
The students that were able to attend the ceremony were provided free admittance into the conference and presented with their Certificate in Medicines Development (CMD) during the awards ceremony, held the first day of the conference.
Want to learn more about the IFAPP Academy?
The International Federation of Associations of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Pharmaceutical Medicine (IFAPP) Academy provides online Continuing Professional Development for Medical Affairs Professionals.
The IFAPP Academy is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote, develop, and implement educational activities that support Pharmaceutical Medicine by enhancing the knowledge, expertise, and skills of pharmaceutical physicians and medicines development scientists worldwide. Partnered with King’s College London, the Academy offers Professional Certification for students successfully completing the course.
The IFAPP Academy is proud to highlight the achievements and successes of our current students and alumni.
We would like to introduce you to, Dr. Sandra Bosold, a current student of the IFAPP Academy/King’s College London, Medical Affairs in Medicines Development, Certification Program.
What is your name and job title?
Dr. Sandra Bosold, Scientific Advisor PIH
What do you feel is your greatest achievement?
One daily achievement is to manage my job responsibilities and the activities and needs of my family. Due to the flexibility of my employer and the appropriate infrastructure, it is possible to balance both.
What is your favorite hobby and/or activity outside of your work?
Gardening and family.
What do you enjoy most about being a Medical Affairs Professional?
Working as a MAP you are at the interface between the medical/scientific world and the interests of a company. Scientific exchanges with HCPs, participation in conferences, and discussions with patients are at the center of our activities and make this job incredibly interesting.
What has been the most beneficial aspect of the IFAPP Academy Program?
Besides the well-structured and detailed lectures, the live webinars with the opportunity to discuss certain issues with top experts but also with the IFAPP colleagues are extremely valuable.
How has your view of the medical affairs profession altered and/or improved?
While going through the curriculum it became clear that Medical Affairs is at the center of all activities and cannot be underestimated. The discussions with KOLs, the insights into patients’ journeys, the scientific knowledge and the cooperation with academia are the foundation of our business.
Any additional comments that you would like to make about the Program?
I have greatly benefitted from the exchange with colleagues from all over the world. IFAPP’s program is a truly global one.
Thank you, Sandra! The Academy looks forward to seeing your many great achievements and contributions to the Medical Affairs arena.
Want to learn more about the IFAPP Academy?
The International Federation of Associations of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Pharmaceutical Medicine (IFAPP) Academy provides online Continuing Professional Development for Medical Affairs Professionals.
Meet Maribel Tribaldos, Medical Head Vaccines at Sanofi Pasteur Pacific and Caribbean
The IFAPP Academy is proud to provide continuing professional development to Medical Affairs Professionals worldwide. This month, we would like to introduce you to, Maribel Tribaldos, a current student of the IFAPP Academy/King’s College, Medical Affairs in Medicines Development, Certification Program.
What is your name and job title? Maribel Tribaldos, Medical Head Vaccines Sanofi Pasteur Pacific and Caribbean
What do you feel is your greatest achievement? From the professional standpoint, my greatest achievement has been to rapidly progress in my career while maintaining a work and personal life balance.
What is your favorite hobby and/or activity outside of your work? Reading and spending time with my family
What do you enjoy most about being a Medical Affairs Professional? The need of constant training and the strategic thinking needed for each product.
What has been the most beneficial aspect of the IFAPP Academy Program? Acquiring a knowledge that is very valuable for the job but is not easily available in the standard trainings.
How has your view of the medical affairs profession altered and/or improved? My view of medical affairs has improved, from a narrow perspective of a simple job description to a position that plays a paramount role in the products life cycle.
Any additional comments that you would like to make about the Program? I encourage all medical affairs professionals to enroll in this wonderful journey that will enrich your knowledge and advance your career.
Thank you, Maribel! The Academy looks forward to your continued success in the medical affairs arena.
Want to learn more about the IFAPP Academy?
The International Federation of Associations of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Pharmaceutical Medicine (IFAPP) Academy provides online Continuing Professional Development for Medical Affairs Professionals.
The IFAPP Academy is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote, develop, and implement educational activities that support Pharmaceutical Medicine by enhancing the knowledge, expertise, and skills of pharmaceutical physicians and medicines development scientists worldwide. Partnered with King’s College London, the Academy offers Professional Certification for students successfully completing the course. Click here to learn more about the benefits of Professional Certification from the IFAPP Academy.
Meet Asmaa Salah Abdel Khalek, a Clinical Trial Evaluator and Auditor at the EDA, the Egyptian Drug Authority.
The IFAPP Academy is proud to provide continuing professional development to Medical Affairs Professionals worldwide. This month, we would like to introduce you to, Asmaa Salah Abdel Khalek, a current student of the IFAPP Academy/King’s College, Medical Affairs in Medicines Development, Certification Program.
What is your name and job title?
I’m Asmaa Salah Abdel Khalek, Clinical Trial evaluator and auditor at the EDA, the Egyptian Drug Authority.
What do you feel is your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement could be simplified in my dream to improve the clinical trial regulation in my country, to cope with the international guidelines.
Currently, I’m working in the national NRA and due to my continuous search and education in the clinical research field, I can see a lot of obvious gaps in the regulations of the clinical trials in my country. I truly hope to be one of the team that will standardize and unify the clinical trial regulations which will have a great impact on the provided pharmaceutical services across all the different healthcare sectors. You start to improve the moment you figure out the weak points and work on them.
What is your favorite hobby and/or activity outside of your work?
My favorite hobby is walking in an open area, listening to my favorite music.
What do you enjoy most about being a Medical Affairs Professional?
First, it was a great honor for me to hear about the medical affairs professional degree provided by IFAPP. I’m totally interested in this specialty which is now the direction of all the huge pharmaceutical companies. Working in a patient-centered approach, integrating the medical affairs specialists as key members along the entire product lifecycle. Through a mutual collaboration with all the company staff, starting from studying the market to detecting the medical needs, aiming to meet these needs, then helping the academic scientists to deliver their basic research and input, to shift from bench to lab, and then the huge massive clinical trial initiation, and monitoring, regulatory approval and marketing authorization, marketing plan starting from studying the market, targeting the main stakeholder, positioning etc.…. followed by the post-marketing and outcome research studies that may help to support the product value. Medical affairs is a broad concept, it could be an MSL, CRA, marketing team, regulatory affairs and so much more.
This is a new direction with a great impact, improving the performance. And for me, I’m completely interested in the clinical research sections and regulation pre and post-marketing authorization.
What has been the most beneficial aspect of the IFAPP Academy Program?
The most beneficial aspect of the IFAPP Academy Program is its professional organization which truly helped me to make a complete picture of the medical affairs profession. Also, the lecturers, listening to these lectures from professional professors who already have a great experience and are completely updated in that field was very helpful. Lastly, the rich content and the flexibility of the program.
How has your view of the medical affairs profession altered and/or improved?
The medical affairs profession altered to be patient-centered and improved to make a great progress across all the product lifecycle, integrating with all other sectors in the company.
Any additional comments that you would like to make about the IFAPP Academy/King’s College, Medical Affairs in Medicines Development, Certification Program?
I would like to say thank you to all the IFAPP team and the program director for their patience and the great support they presented to us in this great program.
Thank you, Asmaa! The Academy looks forward to seeing your many great achievements and contributions to the Medical Affairs arena.
Want to learn more about the IFAPP Academy?
The International Federation of Associations of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Pharmaceutical Medicine (IFAPP) Academy provides online Continuing Professional Development for Medical Affairs Professionals.
The IFAPP Academy is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote, develop, and implement educational activities that support Pharmaceutical Medicine by enhancing the knowledge, expertise, and skills of pharmaceutical physicians and medicines development scientists worldwide. Partnered with King’s College London, the Academy offers Professional Certification for students successfully completing the course. Click here to learn more about the benefits of Professional Certification from the IFAPP Academy.
