Why Join PIPA

The benefits of PIPA membership

Newsletter
Training, meetings and conferences
Professional guidelines and standards
Web site

Every member of PIPA receives the bimonthly PIPA Newsletter. The Newsletter includes news, meeting and conference reports and articles on professional issues - a great way to keep up to date with what is happening in our profession and follow the debate around contentious issues. Career opportunities are also featured and many advertisers are choosing the PIPA newsletter and web-site as the location of choice for job advertisements in pharmaceutical information and pharmacovigilance.

PIPA has developed a structured training programme; endorses two post-graduate courses, one on pharmacovigilance and the other on pharmaceutical information management; has a meetings programme that covers topical issues; and holds an annual conference. All members are eligible for discounted rates at PIPA meetings and conferences.

The Association develops professional guidelines and standards, including competency frameworks for pharmacovigilance and medical information.

Membership affords access to a members-only area of this web-site that provides additional information and services including details of meetings, courses, conferences, and those important career opportunities.

In the evolving regulatory environment in which many of us will be subject to external audit, it is essential to demonstrate professional skills and competencies. Attendance at appropriate courses, meetings and symposia are one way. Of equal importance will be membership of a relevant professional organisation - make that organisation PIPA.

Over the past 30 years, pharmacovigilance and pharmaceutical information management have developed into strategic functions at the national, regional and global level within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. They play a key role not only in the support of marketed therapies but in the development of therapies. Pharmacovigilance and pharmaceutical information management are now distinct professions in their own rights, requiring a unique set of skills and competencies.

PIPA is committed to continuing this process by promoting the professions of pharmacovigilance and pharmaceutical information management; supporting training and professional development; and encouraging networking.

PIPA is the only organisation that is specifically aimed at pharmacovigilance and pharmaceutical information management and dedicated to the professional development of its members.

FULL MEMBERSHIP - is open to those involved in medical, scientific, technical or business information or pharmacovigilance activities in the pharmaceutical industry. They are employees of pharmaceutical companies (companies which supply medicines, either branded or generic, and companies engaged in research and development with a view to marketing medicines or licensing them to others); and persons involved in pharmaceutical information or pharmacovigilance work (this includes, but is not limited to, contractors and those who are self-employed, and those working for medical education agencies). Full members are able to vote on the Association's affairs, hold office, become members of the Committee and working parties, except where there is a competing interest between their role on the Committee or working party, the Association's activities and their business activities. Full members can take part in all the Association's activities.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP - is open to persons with an interest in information and pharmacovigilance work in the pharmaceutical industry who are not eligible for Full Membership. Examples of Associate members include suppliers of information and pharmacovigilance services and resources. Associate membership is available to any member who has retired from employment. Associate members receive benefits of membership through publications and mailings and can attend the majority of the Association's meetings. They are not able to vote on the Association's affairs, cannot hold office or become members of the Committee. They can become members of working parties provided that there are no conflicts of interest between their role on the working party/ the Association's activities and their business activities.

OVERSEAS MEMBERS - are those who are involved in pharmaceutical information or pharmcovigilance but reside outside the UK. They may apply for full or associate membership as appropriate.

Whilst PIPA encourages all information professionals working in the pharmaceutical industry to become members, membership is entirely voluntary. There is no actual requirement to be a member of PIPA in order to carry out the duties of provision and management of information. Policy on membership of PIPA varies from company to company, although many do recognise and support PIPA as the professional organisation for information professionals in the industry.

Membership rates in force from April 2008 are:

UK £60
OVERSEAS £75 payable in pounds sterling

Policy on payment of PIPA membership fees also varies from company to company. Many companies pay the membership fees on behalf of all or some of the staff working within their information units, but this is not universal. If you have any questions about payment of membership fees you should discuss them with your personnel department or department head. Membership of PIPA is personal and non-transferrable, except in exceptional circumstances and with the agreement of all concerned.

Please make cheques payable to 'PIPA'.

To join PIPA, please complete our online membership form.