Outstanding Research Recognised by Value of Medicines Award

Outstanding Research Recognised by Value of Medicines Award

Professor Ian Reid of The University of Auckland has received the inaugural Medicines New Zealand Value of Medicines Award.

“Professor Reid’s work over the past 25 years has contributed substantially to the understanding, effectiveness and safety of the use of medicines in osteoporosis and Paget’s disease,” Medicines New Zealand General Manager Kevin Sheehy says.

“Professor Reid was one of the first researchers to identify the benefits of modern treatments for osteoporosis and has continued to make major contributions to the evidence on which current treatment of this disease depends. His influential research has had substantial impacts on peoples’ lives through the innovative medicines that are now used in everyday practice internationally.”

The $20,000 Value of Medicines Award recognises a New Zealand researcher or health care professional for their outstanding contribution to improving the understanding, effectiveness or safety of the use of medicines. Professor Reid’s work has contributed to all of these areas.

The aim of the Medicines New Zealand Value of Medicines Award is to encourage and showcase those who have developed and implemented innovative New Zealand research projects that are sustainable examples of improving health outcomes through the use of medicines.

“Our team’s clinical trials programme has enjoyed success because of the enthusiastic buy-in we have had from the public, our patients, and our medical colleagues. Support from the Health Research Council has also been very important, and sustaining clinical trials research at an internationally competitive level in New Zealand is very much dependent on prioritising funding for this critical activity,” Professor Reid says

The judges noted that Professor Reid’s research is an excellent example of the groundbreaking work that New Zealand researchers are capable of. His commitment to research that readily translates into medical practice has been truly remarkable.

“Osteoporosis is an important disease area in New Zealand. Fifty six percent of women and 29 percent of men over the age of 60 will suffer a fracture because of osteoporosis, with nearly 20% of those with hip fractures dying from fracture related complications within a year. This preventable illness has been estimated to cost New Zealand over a billion dollars every year,” Mr Sheehy says.

ENDS

© Scoop Media