PR and Med Ed news in brief

New prescribing to be discussed

Extra prescribing powers proposed for nurses and pharmacists will be discussed at the next CIPR Health and Medical Group debate.

The event, which is targeted at healthcare communications professionals, will address the question: ìWill new prescribers make a real difference to healthcare provision?î The final line-up of speakers has now been confirmed and includes Royal College of Nursing joint prescribing adviser, Dr Molly Courtenay, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain director of practice and quality improvement, David Pruce, and the British Medical Association GPs committee chairman, Dr Hamish Meldrum.

The event takes place at 6pm on January 19 at the National Patient Safety Agency in central London.

Media Strategy wins APG account

Media Strategy has been awarded the public affairs account for the American Pharmaceutical Group (APG), the body that champions US pharma firms' contribution to the UK healthcare system.

The appointment marks the end of Fleishman-Hillard's 12-year handling of the account.

APG spokeswoman, Erin Huntingdon (also corporate affairs director at Lilly UK) said : ì2006 will be an important year for the UK-based pharma industry with the publication of the Government's primary care white paper, which will change the way services can be provided closer to patient homes.î

Media Strategy takes over the running of the group's secretariat, and will provide political advice on the forging of links with policymakers.