Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (CPT)

About the clinical pharmacology and therapeutics programme

Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (CPT) is a small but impactful specialty at the core of modern healthcare. Specialists deliver clinical care, lead research, influence national medicines policy, and shape future prescribing practices.

CPT trainees are uniquely placed to:

  • Deliver expert patient care with complex prescribing needs.
  • Improve medicine use and reduce harm across systems.
  • Lead in medicines education, policy, and innovation.
  • Shape future therapeutics through research and regulation.

Whether managing hypertension clinics, advising on novel drug therapies, or supporting national pharmacovigilance, CPT doctors ensure that medicine use in the NHS is safe, effective, and patient-centred.


Careers in CPT – British Pharmacological Society

Our training:

Training in CPT is based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This Foundation Trust is a leader in clinical innovation, research, and teaching — and hosts many national services including:

  • National Poisons Information Service (NPIS)

  • UK Teratology Information Service (UKTIS)

  • Northern and Yorkshire Regional Drug and Therapeutics Centre (RDTC)

As a trainee, you’ll have opportunities to engage in research, policy-making, education, and multidisciplinary care across the region and beyond.

Programme Overview

Duration: 4 years
Accreditation: Dual with General Internal Medicine (GIM)

Training is split equally between GIM and CPT, tailored to your interests and career goals in collaboration with your Educational Supervisor and Training Programme Director.

Core Areas of Interest:

  • Toxicology – including national support via NPIS

  • Hypertension – advanced specialist clinic

  • Prescribing policy – via the RDTC

  • Teratology and reproductive safety

  • Clinical research and education

What our trainees says:

Meet Tom Gzuit a registrar in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, Tom Gzuit brings a global perspective to a dynamic career in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. From managing hypertension and toxicology cases to contributing to national poison advice and cutting-edge research, Tom’s role showcases the speciality’s variety and impact.

Passionate about patient care and medical innovation, Tom highlights the supportive training environment, close-knit teams, and national and international opportunities that make this field uniquely rewarding.

“If you want to be a great physician… I guarantee you’ll find a part of this speciality that you fall in love with.”