While in many scientific academies there is a section for medicine or medical sciences, in many countries there is also a separate academy of medical sciences. Some of them are closely related to the national science academy, others are separate, independent organizations.
Following the 3rd General Assembly held in Kuala Lumpur on 11th June 2010,  the IAMP counts 69 member academies.
The InterAcademy Medical Panel (IAMP) is a voluntary association of such organizations. IAMP was established on 19 May 2000 in conjunction with the World Conference of Scientific Academies, sponsored by the IAP: the global network of science academies (IAP), held in Tokyo, Japan.

The IAMP is committed to improving health around the world. This includes collaboration to:

• Strengthen the role of all academies to alleviate the burden of the poorest;
  
• Build scientific capacity for health; and
• Provide independent scientific advice on promoting health science and health care policy to national governments and global organizations.

The Secretariat in 2004 moved from the US National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine in Washington, DC, USA, to the headquarters of TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world, in Trieste, Italy.

The establishment of the Secretariat has been generously supported by local government authorities (Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia, Camera di Commercio, Trieste) and by international organizations located in Trieste IAP and ICGEB( InterAcademy Panel & International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology)

The Executive Committee is the steering body of IAMP.