The Specialist in Medicines Development (SMD) concept,
developped jointly by PharmaTrain and IMI-Train
The Specialist in Medicines Development (SMD) is a competency-based, workplace-centred
education and training certification programme in Medicines Development, comprising a knowledge
base covering the PharmaTrain Syllabus for Medicines Development Science, delivered and assessed
through modular curricula, and the acquisition and demonstration of competencies for medicines
development across seven domains of the competency curriculum. Participants in this mentored,
vocational programme acquire knowledge and competencies within a framework of assessment,
appraisal and annual review of progress and achievement. On completion, participants receive the
SMD Certificate from the PharmaTrain Certification Board (PCB).
PharmaTrain, SMD Final Report for IMI-Train
SMD Curriculum Path & Certification Process
SMD Concept & Objectives
Currently, academically-qualified (in medicine or life sciences) people working in medicines development are trained on the job, undertake continuing professional development (CPD), and participate in university training courses to achieve a secondary diploma and/or master degree. Both tracks will lead to an individual acquiring a certain array of competencies across multiple domains. So far, there is no qualification / degree / award available in most countries which certifies this described background or achievement, and the PharmaTrain SMD Certification concept & programme aims to fill this gap.
SMD Certification
On completion, participants achieve SMD certification from the Global PharmaTrain Certification Board (gPCB) (Members from PharmaTrain and IFAPP), based on the gPCB’s thorough review of the trainee’s documented post-graduate education and competence-development achievements.
SMD is renewable after participation in a 5-year CPD programme