PSA NSW President awarded RPSGB Fellowship for international leadership
Media Release: 12 June 2008
The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (NSW Branch), Professor Shalom (Charlie) Benrimoj, has been awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
Professor Benrimoj, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Planning) at The University of Sydney, also holds the Foundation Professor of Pharmacy Practice (1991) and was also the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy from 2000 to 2005.
He lives on Sydney’s North Shore at Turramurra.
The announcement of this prestigious award was made by the newly elected President of the Royal Society, Mr Steve Churton.
Fellowship of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is awarded to members who have made a distinguished contribution to the profession and is awarded at the discretion of the Society’s Panel of Fellows. Eligibility for elevation to the status of Fellow is restricted to members of more than 12 years standing who have made an outstanding original contribution to the advancement of pharmaceutical knowledge or have attained distinction in the science, practice, profession or history of pharmacy. Just over 600 Fellows have been awarded in the 167-year history of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, an average of fewer than 4 per year.
"There can be no doubting Professor Benrimoj’s eligibility for Fellowship status," Mr Churton said. "His research and development work in professional program delivery is truly cutting edge; blazing a path in Australia and around the world."
In awarding the Fellowship, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Panel of Fellows acknowledged Professor Benrimoj’s extensive research encompassing the future of community pharmacy and the delivery of cognitive pharmaceutical services in current and emergent health services. These professional services include the provision of drug information, non-prescription medicine advice, clinical interventions, patient medication reviews and disease state management systems with associated implementation strategies applying change management theory. The Chair of the Panel of Fellows, Mr Jim Bannerman said in supporting the nomination, "This Fellowship recognises Professor Benrimoj’s pivotal research which has led to the development and implementation of pharmaceutical services in Australia with ensuing world wide leadership."
Following the announcement, Professor Benrimoj expressed his delight at the award. "I am honoured that the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has seen fit to bestow this award upon me. It is a genuine surprise and thrill. The recognition of one’s peers is about the highest honour you could hope for, and receive, as a pharmacist."
Professor Benrimoj has previously been recognised for his outstanding national and international; leadership in pharmacy. In 2000, he was named Australian Pharmacist of the year and in 2005, he was awarded a Fellowship of the International Pharmaceutical Federation.
More details:
Steven Drew
Chief Executive Officer
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia - New South Wales
0403 531 635 (m)
02 9431 1101 (w)
Mr Jean Pierre Moser
Head, Corporate Communications and Membership
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
020 7572 2334
