Clinical trial expert wins top pharma award
The 2008 Pat Clear Award has been won by Mitch Kirkman, manager of clinical research at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia.
The Award was presented to Mr Kirkman at Medicines Australia’s Annual General Meeting today.
The Pat Clear Award is the innovative pharmaceutical industry’s most prestigious and coveted award. It is presented annually to recognise an outstanding level of commitment by an individual, group or team for the benefit of the Australian pharmaceutical industry.
Mr Kirkman won the Award for his outstanding work as founding chair of Medicines Australia’s Research and Development Taskforce, spearheading the pharmaceutical industry’s efforts to achieve nationally standardised regulation of clinical research in Australia.
Medicines Australia chief executive Ian Chalmers congratulated Mr Kirkman, and said the Award was richly deserved.
“This Award recognises a very significant contribution to our industry,” Mr Chalmers said.
“Mitch has a long and distinguished record of dedicated service to the innovative pharmaceutical industry. He is a very worthy winner of this prestigious Award.
“Under his stewardship, the R&D Taskforce has argued energetically and persuasively for rationalisation of Australia’s fragmented regulatory system for clinical research.
“Clinical trials account for the vast majority of research and development expenditure by Australian pharmaceutical companies. Under Mitch’s chairmanship, the R&D Taskforce has helped secure a much improved regulatory environment for clinical research.
“This means medical research can be conducted more efficiently. Future Australian patients will have earlier access to effective new therapies, unknowingly benefiting from the important work of a classic quiet achiever.”
The Pat Clear Award was established in 2002 to commemorate the contribution Mr Clear made to the pharmaceutical industry in Australia.
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Contact Person:
Jamie Nicholson
Media Communications Manager
Phone: 0419 220 293
Email: Jamie.Nicholson@medicinesaustralia.com.au