“This $20,000 award aims to stimulate research that improves the understanding, effectiveness or safety of the use of medicines,” Medicines New Zealand General Manager Kevin Sheehy says.

“The aim of the Medicines New Zealand Value of Medicines Award is to encourage and showcase innovative projects that have the potential to improve health outcomes for New Zealanders, through the use of medicines.

“New Zealand’s research community produces an exceptionally high standard of innovative work, which we believe should be widely recognised and celebrated.

The work should have direct relevance to the current or future provision of healthcare in New Zealand.

“As the industry association representing innovative pharmaceutical companies in New Zealand we work to encourage the understanding that investing in modern medicines is an important part of future proofing this country’s productivity, enabling people to stay well with a better quality of life for longer and thereby reducing the strain on other parts of the healthcare system.  

“Furthermore we believe the acknowledgement of research in the area of scientific innovation, supports the Government in its goal to attract and retain our scientific talent,” Mr Sheehy says.

Medicines New Zealand encourages any researcher or clinician whose work aims to demonstrate the value of medicines to apply.

Entries close on 14 September 2012 and the winner will be announced on 9 October 2012.

Download a Nomination Form here.