13 October 2009

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) Board has voted to reappoint Russell Edwards as an NPS director for another three-year term.

Mr Edwards has served on the NPS Board since December 2006 and has chaired the NPS Audit Committee since October 2007.

He is a former vice-president and managing director of Amgen Australia and hence brings to the Board senior experience of the medicines industry. Outside the NPS, Mr Edwards currently chairs the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee.

“Russell has detailed knowledge of the industry and quality use of medicines principles. His strong leadership and influential skills are greatly appreciated and he is regarded as an opinion leader in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the field of biotechnology,” NPS Chair, Dr Janette Randall said.

As a former board member of Medicines Australia, Mr Edwards sponsored the establishment of guidelines for relationships between consumer health organisations and the pharmaceutical industry. In 2005 he founded Medicines Australia's Biotechnology Group (MABIG).

“Through 36 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Russell brings strong corporate and commercial experience to the Board which will continue to be invaluable as NPS works towards achieving its four and 10 year goals,” Dr Randall said.

 “On behalf of the Board I would like to congratulate Russell on his reappointment and we look forward to working with him over the next three years,” Dr Randall said.

ENDS

The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.