Finalist
Harry Thurston-Smith
Summary of work
From politics graduate to UK Public Affairs and Advocacy Lead at one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies in six years, I believe I’ve displayed the qualities required of the Young Achiever in Healthcare Communications.
In a relatively short time, I have delivered highly successful communications, public affairs and advocacy programmes, resulting in industry recognition and policy changes that have achieved material differences for patients. I have had the pleasure of representing the UK healthcare communications industry at an international level, demonstrating the high-ethical standards upheld in the UK and the importance of communications in supporting a successful market access strategy.
Most recently, I led a communications, public affairs and advocacy programme for a high-profile new class of medicines. The result was UK-wide access to an innovative set of treatments for patients at high-risk of cardiovascular disease, despite a receding focus at a political level on lipid management and a generic current standard of treatment. The targeted programme achieved increased awareness of PCSK9 inhibitors at a national level and resulted in the medicine being referenced in major government reports.
Judges’ comments
Harry was charming, really decent and very genuine. We can clearly see how he’d bring people together and we found him to be both very passionate and professional.
