The core curriculum for medical communications professionals practicing in the pharmaceutical industry

This article provides the instructor's notes for the Drug Information Association's (DIA's) Core Curriculum in Medical Communications. The Core Curriculum is a standing educational program sponsored by the Medical Communications Special Interest Section of the DIA. It has been presented annually at the Medical Communications Workshop since 1996 and is offered as a tutorial at the DIA Annual Meeting. The Core Curriculum in Medical Communications is designed for those who are new to industry-based drug information in the United States. It encompasses the key activities of industry-based drug information practice, highlights the key differences between industry-based and non-industry-based information practice, and encourages new practitioners to seek advice from experienced colleagues.