Previous Issues

by Janet Tice, GMP Piping, with photos by Joyce Chiu, Perceptive Informatics 

CPIP Study Group leadership is ably provided by Chapter Past President Doyle Johnson.

In another first for the Boston Area Chapter and ISPE in North America, the Chapter has successfully launched its CPIP Study Group. With its kickoff meeting on May 26th, the goal of the Study Group is to make it convenient and fun for qualified Chapter Members to obtain the CPIP - Certified Pharmaceutical Industry Professional credential. Available only through ISPE, the CPIP credential establishes a "global competency standard" for industry professionals working in and supporting product development through manufacturing. It is intended to recognize those in the industry whose experience and knowledge make them outstanding leaders. Candidates are assessed through demonstrated education and experience, which involves a rigorous application process and a written examination. 

Following several months of publicity, both formal and word-of-mouth, 25 Chapter Members stepped forward to join the Study Group, recognizing the benefit of group effort, free course materials (generously provided by ISPE), convenient and comfortable classroom space courtesy of Genzyme in Framingham and expert leadership provided by Chapter Past President Doyle Johnson as CPIP Study Group Leader. Candidates are a diverse group, representing the full spectrum of Chapter membership in terms of years in the industry, job function, company type and gender.

Study Group members represent the full spectrum of Chapter membership in terms of years in the industry, job function, company type and gender

At the first session, CPIP and Chapter veteran Allan MacDonald shared his personal experience completing the CPIP application and exam, giving candidates a good grasp of what to expect and how to approach this somewhat daunting process. The Study Group has adjourned for the summer, allowing members to independently work on their individual applications, but will resume in the fall with another round of three-hour study sessions (10 in total) in preparation for an October exam. To quote one Study Group member, "There are questions to be answered at the end of each learning objective and the class has a lot of fun with them. If everyone does as well as the class, we'll all pass the exam!"