As a postgraduate medical discipline, pharmaceutical medicine has a recognised international syllabus, training courses with examinations and qualifications, its own research methodologies, professional bodies and academic societies, journals[4] and texts, and embraces new technologies and regulations in pursuit of proof of efficacy, safety and effectiveness of medicines.
Pharmaceutical medicine is a listed medical specialty in the UK,[5] Ireland, Switzerland,[6] Mexico[7] and Belgium.
[8] This official recognition is underlined by the availability of accredited education and training of specialist pharmaceutical physicians and the establishment and maintenance of standards of practice and professionalism in the competency, care and conduct applied to their work and of growing public recognition and accountability.
In the UK, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians provides accreditation for the specialty.
In addition to expertise in basic research, drug development, and the structure and function of clinical trials, pharmaceutical physicians must possess a thorough understanding of pharmacoeconomics, medical aspects of the marketing pharmaceuticals, and business administration, and public health[9] Entry-level jobs with this qualification are often clinical research-related.