• Are you a practising pharmacist or a member of a pharmacy team?
• Are you an innovator?
• Do you enjoy improving your service?
• Would you like recognition for doing so?

To apply for the award all you need to do is to complete an application form and return it to Martin Anderson at ABPI before 11th July 2008, either by post: ABPI, 12 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY; or fax: 020 7747 1400; or email.

Background to the Award
The differing pharmacy strategies across the United Kingdom all encourage the development of the professional role of pharmacists, and this is welcomed by the ABPI and its member companies. The ABPI wishes to recognise innovative pharmacy practice that brings benefits to patients.

This award, now in its fourth year, is a tangible recognition by the pharmaceutical industry of the important role that pharmacists play in ensuring that patients have access to medicines and gain maximum benefits from their prescribed medicines.

Entries are welcomed from practising pharmacists from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Award
Entries should demonstrate how working practices have been improved and must clearly indicate how changes have brought benefits to patients. The award will be £500, to be spent on activities which further professional development and enhance patient care.

The Award will be given to one winner from each of the following: England, Scotland, Wales and N Ireland. The winners will be invited to collect their award; and present their work at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC).

The 2008 BPC will be held in Manchester from 7– 9 September 2008. The ABPI Pharmacy Award Event is planned for lunchtime on 8 September.

The ABPI will pay for reasonable travel arrangements upon receipt of receipts, but winners will be expected to make all other arrangements themselves i.e. accommodation, locum cover etc.

Criteria
The award will be given to pharmacists that have demonstrated:

• Innovative practice that has improved medicines utilisation
• Significant improvements in the quality of prescribing, dispensing or administration of medicines
• Service developments that ensure patient access to high quality pharmaceutical care and medicines

Applications
Applications can be received from pharmacists practising in any area of pharmacy. Application forms are available from the ABPI by clicking here. The award will be publicised through announcements in the press.

Awarding Bodies
A small group of senior pharmacists, with input from the ABPI, will review applications and determine to whom awards will be made. Separate awarding bodies will be established in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and they will be responsible for adjudicating applications from these countries. All applicants will receive an acknowledgement of their application upon receipt at ABPI and the decision of the awarding panel (either positive or negative).

Timing
The award will be made annually. Applications can be made at any time up to 11 July 2008. Applications will be judged in July and winners informed in August.