Award winners from Biogen, AstraZeneca and GSK recognised in pharma industry CEP

Pharma News: Winners from across Australia’s pharmaceutical industry have been announced for the Medicines Australia Continuing Education Program (CEP) Awards. The CEP Awards recognise individuals who have shown an exceptional understanding of the importance of upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity in the pharma industry.

Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said the CEP Awards recognised the hard work and achievements of students who completed the online course last year through the University of Tasmania (UTAS).

“The award winners for 2021 are a strong example of the pharmaceutical industry’s commitment to training and supporting medical representatives, who play an integral role in being a key contact between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals.

“Congratulations to the Award recipients who have been duly recognised for their exceptional dedication in completing the 2021 CEP course. Their combined knowledge will be an asset to their organisations and to our health system as a whole,” Ms de Somer said.

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Rachael Bevan, Innovation and Patient Solutions Lead at Biogen and recipient of the Code of Conduct Award, said “It was a lovely surprise to receive this award, as this is my first role in industry, and my first time undertaking the course. I was fortunate to take a lot away from Program 1 – in particular, it was really valuable to reflect on each module and consider its application in my work. It has given me the opportunity to consolidate my knowledge of the Code and confidently implement its principles in my day-to-day activities.”

Daniella Samaila from GSK, one of the recipients of the University of Tasmania Prize for Excellence Award, said “I had it in my mind that I wanted to win an award. It’s such a fulfilling feeling being recognised for your efforts and your investment.”

Samantha Wicks from AstraZeneca, the second recipient of the University of Tasmania Prize for Excellence Award, added “I hadn’t worked in Australia in the pharmaceutical industry before I started with AZ in 2020. I’d also taken a 12 year break from the industry so it was really good for me to refresh my knowledge of the industry and also to get to know the Code here in Australia and the ways of working.”

The following 10 students won a 2021 CEP Achievement Award, achieving the 10 highest aggregate marks for the majority of the core programs:

• Abraam Gerguis, Eli Lilly, formerly of FarmaForce
• Christopher Lems, Boehringer Ingelheim
• Claudio Sadek, Bayer
• Daniella Samaila, GSK
• Jess De Laurent, Hahn Healthcare
• Juanita Kidd, Allergan Australia
• Madeline Rapisardi, formerly of Novartis
• Manjit Singh, Bayer, formerly of iNova Pharmaceuticals
• Megan Jefferys, AstraZeneca, and
• Nikki Pride, AstraZeneca