MA award recognises industry commitment

The 2013 Pat Clear Award, the Australian medicines industry’s most prestigious award, has been won by Sara Pantzer, Head of Government Affairs and Policy, Amgen Australia.

The Award is presented annually to recognise an outstanding performance and contribution by an individual, group or team who work in the industry.

Ms Pantzer has been a key player in shaping the policy landscape for the Australian medicines industry since joining the industry in 1995.

Medicines Australia Chief Executive, Dr Brendan Shaw, said Ms Pantzer is an excellent recipient for the award because she exhibited all three attributes assigned to the Pat Clear Award: commitment, determination and dedication.

“Sara is a valuable leader in the industry. Her enthusiasm, expertise, professionalism and commitment are legendary,” Dr Shaw said.

“For almost two decades Sara has helped the industry identify common positions and developed practical and effective solutions with the broader community. She is widely recognised for this amongst her industry peers and key stakeholders alike.

“Sara’s contribution has made a real difference to the industry, the community and patients.

“And she’s done it all with a good dose of humour too,” Dr Shaw said.

Sara was instrumental in developing the industry’s position on the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement and was a major contributor to the industry’s position on reform of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in both 2006 and in 2010.

Most recently, Sara co-led the establishment of the Medicines Australia Oncology Industry Taskforce which has stimulated lively consideration and debate in the community about ways to give Australians reliable and timely access to cancer medicines.

The Pat Clear Award was established in 2002 to commemorate the substantial contribution Mr Clear made to the medicines industry in Australia during his 40-year career. Pat Clear had a passionate belief that the industry held an important place in Australian society, not just through the provision of medicines, but as a tool of social policy to make the country a fairer place for all.

-ENDS-

Contact Person:

Alex Chapman
Phone: (02) 8281 3204
Email: alex@ogilvyprhealth.com