Medical Affairs association announces executive committee and sets strategy for 2023

Medical: The Medical Affairs Professionals of Australasia (MAPA) has welcomed new members to its 2023 executive committee, announced winners for the 2022 Medical Affairs Excellence Awards, and set the association vision for the new year.

In acknowledging the association’s achievements over the past 12 months, Bevan Sweerts (Sanofi), Secretary for MAPA, shared the association’s 2022 highlights with Health Industry Hub.

He said “The inaugural APPA / MAPS summit was a key highlight. Coming together, in person, as a medical affairs community reignited the fire in Medical Affairs. We had passionate scientific professionals presenting on a breadth of topics, with strong collaboration across the industry. It was invigorating to see the drive, ambition and thirst for knowledge across Medical Affairs.”

Transforming the Australian Pharmaceutical medical and scientific Professionals Association (APPA) into MAPA and expanding MAPA’s partnerships were also key highlights from last year, according to Bevan.

“Transitioning into the more inclusive Medical Affairs Professionals of Australasia (MAPA) has allowed the association to better represent the spectrum of individuals in Medical Affairs across our focus areas in 2023 and ready for the future evolution of the industry.

“We also broadened our collaboration across the industry by engaging with groups like Medicines Australia, ARCS and IFAPP which enhanced our appreciation of the wider context and allowed us to best address the needs of our stakeholders,” he said.

Winners announced for Health Industry Hub’s Catalysts for Change Awards 2022

Matt Britland, President of MAPA and Lauren Pasfield (AbbVie), Vice President of MAPA focussed on the key themes for 2023 and how these will enhance the value and role of Medical Affairs.

Matt and Lauren told Health Industry Hub “Member engagement is a key focus for the association. We want to remain focused on our 700+ members by providing high value medical education and networking events, host the second MAPA / MAPS Australasian Summit and support the development of professional standards.

“We are keen to expand our collaboration by continuing to engage with external stakeholder groups and Medical Affairs leaders to best represent the medical affairs community and demonstrate the leadership of Medical in the pharmaceutical industry.

“Expanding the scope and remit of MAPA is also part of the association’s strategy for this year. Changing the constitution to open a second tier of membership to aspiring medical affairs professionals is essential. By creating six new workstreams and working groups, we will also enhance the impact MAPA has on the industry as a whole,” they said.

New Members of 2023 MAPA Executive Committee

• Tamara Etto – Antengene
• Amit Lalwani – Sobi
• Jan Lewis – AbbVie
• Claire Morgan – Seqirus
• Jodi Tainton – Pfizer

2022 MAPA Medical Affairs Excellence Awards

• MSL Excellence Award – Desiree Anthony, Sanofi
• Medical Affairs Excellence Award – Jana Moody, Sanofi
• Best Patient Focused Activity – Jana Chromicka, Sanofi and the Amgen team of Naomi Adam, Jeffrey Hassall, Marie Hartley and Matthew Frith

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