14 Nov 24
Dr. Flic Gabbay, Founder and Senior Vice President at tranScrip, concludes her impactful presidency at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine (FPM) of the three UK Royal Colleges of Physicians, a period marked by extensive change in healthcare, political leadership, and innovation. Leading the FPM during a time with four UK Prime Ministers, six Health Secretaries, and profound global financial and social shifts, Flic’s term has seen extraordinary progress amidst a global pandemic.
Flic began her presidency in November 2021, at the height of COVID-19, when UK life sciences were seeing unprecedented innovation. FPM played a critical role by advising on research, regulatory guidance, and access to essential medicines for medical bodies and government departments. Flic and FPM Vice President Dr. Sheuli Porkess coordinated expert-driven reports on infectious disease, leading to the launch of a new e-Learning module on respiratory disease prevention and treatment. Developed by FPM experts and sponsored by Pfizer, this training addressed an essential need for accurate information on respiratory health.
One of Flic’s final contributions is FPM’s witness statement for Module 4 of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, marking a comprehensive reflection on COVID-19’s impact on pharmaceutical medicine.
Under Flic’s leadership, FPM achieved significant strides in training and standards, updating the PharmaTrain syllabus, enhancing the FPM curriculum for Pharmaceutical Medicine Specialist Training, and moving diploma exams online with remote proctoring. FPM also reached its highest number of General Medical Council (GMC)-affiliated doctors and strengthened support for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) seeking GMC registration.
Through partnerships with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and the National Institute for Health Research, FPM’s profile grew considerably, establishing its role as a thought leader in drug innovation, accessibility, and healthcare policy discussions with stakeholders, including patients.
A critical accomplishment has been the modernisation of FPM’s digital infrastructure. This included implementing a new CRM system for membership, event registration, and financial management, a new Learning Management System for training, and the FPM Connect mentoring platform. Additionally, two rounds of governance reviews have helped refine board and officer roles, align policies with best practices, and introduce new safeguarding and complaints procedures.
Despite economic pressures and the challenges of an evolving work environment post-pandemic, FPM has achieved financial stability, with membership growing and new pathways to Fellowship introduced. Notably, the “direct” route to FPM Fellowship was launched, aligning with other Royal Colleges, and the 2022 introduction of alternative Membership routes now recognises equivalent qualifications globally.
FPM’s influence has expanded internationally, with significant involvement in launching the Middle East Association of Pharmaceutical Medicine Professionals (MEAPP) and collaborating with the American Academy of Physicians in Clinical Research (APCR) and the International Federation of Associations of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Pharmaceutical Medicine (IFAPP).
As she hands over the presidency to Dr. Sheuli Porkess, Flic expressed gratitude to Sheuli for her vital support, especially during Flic’s recent compassionate leave. Flic also acknowledged the dedication of FPM’s Chief Executive Dr. Marcia Philbin and her team, whose efforts have helped FPM strengthen its foundation and reputation. Flic extended her thanks to the numerous pharmaceutical physicians and volunteers, including officers, committee chairs, members, and examiners, whose contributions have been invaluable to FPM’s success.
Dr. Flic Gabbay leaves behind a legacy of resilience, growth, and unwavering commitment to advancing pharmaceutical medicine and healthcare at a time of unprecedented global challenges.
Gabbay, F. (2024), ‘Farewell to our President Dr Flic Gabbay’, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, 11 November 2024. Available at: [https://www.fpm.org.uk/blog/farewell-to-our-president-dr-flic-gabbay/]
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