At the recent FIP Congress in Nice, Nigel Hughes, a young pharmacist from Ireland, was announced as the winner of the inaugural FIP-YPG Professional Innovation Award. Nigel is no stranger to awards and accolades, having won first place in his pharmacy degree course in 1996 (at the age of only 19!) and more recently, a regional award for entrepreneur of the year. His winning entry for the Innovation Award was an e-learning smoking cessation program for pharmacists, the benefits of which include: being able to learn anywhere and anytime; self-paced; and no travel costs. Here Nigel answers a few questions about his involvement with the FIP-YPG Professional Innovation Award.

How did you hear about the award?

I have always had an interest in the whole concept of FIP. I think it’s great that you can have one representative worldwide body despite the cultural and regulatory differences that exist. I keep a regular eye on the FIP website and it was through the website that I came across the award.

Why Smoking Cessation?

Well, despite the fact that almost everyone knows smoking is hazardous to your health, it’s still a problem! Nobody has been able to conquer the problem despite the fact that governments, health foundations, etc have worked tirelessly in this area. While working in a community pharmacy, I learned that many of my patients with heart and lung disease smoked. I saw smoking not as a problem but rather an opportunity - an opportunity for pharmacists to make a real visible difference.    

Has your Innovation been put into practice?

Yes, the training program is available over the internet and on CD-Rom. The feedback has been excellent and the intention is to use the money from the award to translate the program into other languages so more and more pharmacists can offer smoking cessation services.

What words of advice do you have for future entrants in the Innovation Award?

Well first of all, if there are any young pharmacists out there with an innovative idea, go for it! At the very least it’s a great opportunity to get feedback, help and suggestions. On top of all that you will meet great people in the process. There are clear guidelines for entry. Try to apply your idea to the guidelines and who knows!

For more information about the 2003 FIP-YPG Professional Innovation Award, including how to enter, check out: www.fip.org and follow the links to the Young Pharmacists Group (YPG). Entries close on 15^th February 2003.

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