30 November 2006

Russell Edwards is to be appointed as a Director of National Prescribing Service Limited, Chair Dr Roger Boyd announced at the Annual General Meeting on Friday, 24 November 2006, in Sydney. Nominations for the position were called after former Board Director Paul Bolt retired.

”On behalf of the NPS Board, I congratulate Russell on his appointment and look forward to working with him. He brings years of valuable experience in corporate governance and stakeholder relations and I’m especially pleased that he recognises the central role of consumers in all aspects of health care,” Dr Boyd said.

”Russell possesses a broad understanding of issues in the public and private health sectors, a sound understanding of the Australian National Medicines Policy and he is regarded as an opinion leader in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the field of biotechnology,” he said.

Mr Edwards’ career spans 36 years in the pharmaceutical industry. He is currently Vice-President, External Affairs, at Amgen Australia, was Managing Director at Amgen and at Pharmacia, and a Board member of Medicines Australia.

As a Board member of Medicines Australia, Russell 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).

”I am pleased to take up a directorship of this well-governed organisation that delivers such successful programs to GPs, pharmacists, nurses, other healthcare professionals and consumers. I am firmly committed to Quality Use of Medicines and will further the dialogue between the pharmaceutical industry, key member and consumer organisations and NPS.” said Mr Edwards.

The current NPS Board members are Dr Roger Boyd (Chair), Dr Richard Abbott, Ms Jenny Bergin, Associate Professor Shane Carney, Ms Susan Hunt, Ms Janette Donovan, Dr Shiong Tan, Dr Graeme Killer, Dr Janette Randall and Mr Russell Edwards.

ENDS

National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines. We provide accurate, balanced, evidence-based information and services to help people choose if, when and how to use medicines to improve their health and wellbeing. We are member-based and work in partnership with health professionals, government, pharmaceutical industry and consumers. NPS is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.