A fluid flow control system for an electromagnetic pump having an electromagnetic drive (11) and a compressor (6). The control system established a required current in the compressor coils (10) to control the position and movement of the actuator (11), the actuator deflecting a diaphragm within the pump to provide the required flow. The control system includes a command signal generator (1) to create a signal representing the required flow. The signal is applied to a command processor (2) with any feedback signals (13) for example, coil current and/or actuator displacement. The command processor (2) calculates the appropriate drive signal defined by mark-space ratio, repetition rate, and amplitude. The drive signal controls the voltage supplied to the compressor coils (11) resulting in a required coil current to provide the desired flow. A dc power supply is used to avoid problems regarding main power supply and frequency.