The Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation

Tuesday 6th April, 2010 Dr. Mahendra Patel becomes NICE Fellow

Pharmacist and university lecturer Mahendra Patel has become the first pharmacist to be awarded one of 10 inaugural fellowships by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence – NICE.

Dr Patel, who is senior lecturer in pharmacy practice, Division of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science at the University of Huddersfield and an honorary research fellow at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation at the University of Bradford, is also an ambassador for the NHS Evidence programme.

The pharmacist, who was also instrumental in developing NICE guidelines published last year on medicines adherence, joins nine other fellows who are all senior health professionals from across the NHS.

The fellowships last for three years, during which time their holders will be expected to promote the work of NICE as well as play their part in the development of policy, education and audit.

NICE has also announced details of its first 10 scholarships, which have been awarded to specialist registrars and health professionals for 12 months.

Director of clinical and public health at NICE Peter Littlejohns said: “Our appointees have been chosen for their dedication, foresight and experience in promoting clinically- and cost-effective practice in the NHS.
“While the fellowships and scholarships will provide them with opportunities to develop further in their own careers and improve the quality of healthcare in their local areas, we also hope that they will allow us to engage even more closely with the NHS and foster a growing network of individuals who are committed to promoting our core values.”

The fellowships and scholarship programme has been developed following a recommendation made in the next stage review carried out by Lord Darzi when he was health minister.

Lord Darzi, who holds the chair of surgery at Imperial College London also becomes the institute’s first honorary NICE fellow.

The appointments are all unpaid.