PSA Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Announced, Australia

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 19 Oct 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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A career as a pharmacist spanning 49 years, during which he has excelled in applying professionalism in community service, pharmacy and industry practice innovation has seen Emil Dan being named recipient of the PSA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mr Dan has committed his professional time to sharing his extensive knowledge and promoting the role of pharmacists in the community and multi-disciplinary practice, especially in asthma, allergy and respiratory education.

Announcing the award, National President of the PSA, Warwick Plunkett, said Mr Dan's work at the forefront of asthma and allergy research had resulted in the design and production of evidence-based products for allergy.

"His identification of the dust mite as a primary cause of asthma and allergy was a breakthrough, as was his development of protective products and asthma respiratory machines," Mr Plunkett said.

"Emil has also been a visionary in asthma and respiratory education.

"Emil's commitment to keeping his developments in pharmacy led to the establishment of Allersearch to ensure his products were marketed through pharmacy and ethically.

"He was instrumental in the process to unifying state-based asthma bodies into a national body which is now able to coordinate and deliver asthma programs nationally.

"He also developed a program called Standards of Asthma in Pharmacy Practice, a further example of his promotion of the role of pharmacists in this important practice area."

Mr Plunkett said Mr Emil's life-long support, commitment and involvement with asthma patients deserved recognition such as the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mr Emil said it was an honour to have been chosen for the award.

"It is an award that will be treasured," he said.

"But the real thanks go to the pharmacists and health-care professionals across Australia that have supported all these endeavours towards respiratory management and education, thanks for the encouragement and support of a lifetime of mentors."

Patrick Davies, CEO of Symbion, sponsors of the awards for the fifth consecutive year, paid tribute to Mr Dan.

"The Lifetime Achievement Award is the most prestigious recognition of the significant contribution that Emil has made to the Australian Pharmacy industry throughout his distinguished career. Emil is a thoroughly deserving recipient of this award and he sets a fine example for others to follow."

Source
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia