In this issue:

President's Note
ASCEPT 2010 ASM
Call for Applications for a 2010 Continuing Professional Development Grant
Research Australia
News from other organisations
Forthcoming Conferences

February 2010 E-Newsletter

of the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists

Welcome to the February ASCEPT eNewsletter.

ASCEPT 2009 ASM Abstract Books: We have quite a number of spare abstract books available. If you would like a copy, please email ascept@meetingsfirst.com.au.

If any would like to contribute any items to the eNews, please send it along to Meetings First for consideration.

Roselyn Rose'Meyer
ASCEPT Newsletter Editor

President's Note

There are a few matter to bring to your attention this month.

• We have recently learned that Prof Ric Day (St Vincents Hospital, Sydney) will be the incoming President of Drug Information Association (DIA) and will be the first non-US citizen to hold this high international office. Sincere congratulations to Prof Day.

• A reply has been sent to Research Australia in response to the Federal Government inquiry regarding Clinical Trial Action Group (CTAG). I am very grateful to Winston Liauw in particular and Matt Doogue, as well as others for their input, for preparing this submission on behalf of ASCEPT members.

• Members interested in 2010-2011 RACP Training Positions should contact either Prof Evan Begg or Dr Matt Doogue. Members will recall that this is the first year that such Training has been devolved from the College (RACP) to specialty societies such as ASCEPT. Our Specialty Training Committee (STC) is chaired by Prof Begg.

• A committee is currently forming around developing a national standard in pharmacology and clinical pharmacology education.

• A letter has been sent to Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and to the Transplant Society (TSANZ) regarding concerns expressed about the routine monitoring practices for the immunosuppressant drug, sirolimus. To their credit, Wyeth has made known some interpretation issues with a commercial test and we have tried to contribute further to this understanding.

• Council will be meeting next week and forming strategies for the implementation of the 5 year Strategic Plan approved at the AGM in Dec-09, including items that will require a ASCEPT constitutional change targeted for the next AGM in Melbourne in December.

 Ray Morris

ASCEPT 2010 ASM

Mark this in your diaries now!

28 Nov - 1 Dec 2010

The Sebel & Citigate Albert Park, Melbourne

Further information coming soon!

Call for Applications for a 2010 Continuing Professional Development Grant

Overview

As one of the key initiatives set up by The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the CPD Grant is designed to promote and support education initiatives for Fellows’ Continuing Professional Development.

The grant serves as a seed fund to provide financial assistance for the development of educational activities involving a community of Fellows that will contribute to the future continuing professional development of Fellows of the RACP. The nature and complexity of proposed activities will vary and therefore the grant itself may not cover all costs involved.

Availability of funds

An amount of up to $5,000 will generally be approved for any application. However, this may vary at the discretion of the CPD Committee, funds available and the number of applications. We are delighted to announce that the total amount of grant funding the College is making available for the 2010 year is $40,000 for Australia and $15,000 for New Zealand.

Eligibility

All Fellows of the College from the Divisions, Chapters and Faculties in Australia and New Zealand are eligible to apply for a grant.

Please Note: The funding is intended to support organisation of CPD activities for a community of Fellows e.g. regional scientific meetings, updates, etc., and therefore is not available for an individual Fellow’s CPD undertakings.

Selection criteria

Applications will be assessed according to the following principles, with precedence given to those that align closely to the following:

1. Exhibit innovation in content, design and/or method of delivery

1. Support as many Fellows as possible

1. Focus on assisting those who are unable to access the more usual channels of CPD

1. Provide the College with an enduring continuing education resource

1. Provide value for attendees and contribute to their continuing professional development.

Further information

For more information or to obtain a copy of the 2010 CPD Grant Application Kit, please contact the CPD unit of the Education Deanery via email mycpd@racp.edu.au or phone +61 2 8247 6239.

Closing date for applications is Wednesday, 31 March 2010. Unfortunately applications received beyond this date cannot be considered.

Research Australia

Request for input: Two Research Australia responses to government

Research Australia will be forwarding a response to two current enquiries being conducted by the federal government. These enquiries include:

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Innovation inquiry into and report on Australia's international research engagement The inquiry’s terms of reference include:

1. The nature and extent of existing international research collaborations.
2. The benefits to Australia from engaging in international research collaborations.
3. The key drivers of international research collaboration at the government, institutional and researcher levels.
4. The impediments faced by Australian researchers when initiating and participating in international research collaborations and practical measures for addressing these.
5. Principles and strategies for supporting international research engagement. More information can be found at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/isi/intresearch/index.htm

The second is a response to the federal government’s Clinical Trials Action Group. They are looking for feedback about ways Australia can enhance its position as a preferred destination for clinical trials.

Public submissions are being sought following the release of discussion papers by Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry Richard Marles and Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mark Butler, who co-chair the Action Group.

The submission process will assist government to target reforms to keep these trials in Australia against emerging competition.

The Action Group is inviting submissions which focus on five key areas:

1. developing a clinical trials roadmap
2. developing key performance measures for clinical trial
3. ensuring the rapid uptake of streamlined ethics, scientific and governance review processes
4. strategies to improve patient recruitment
5. developing an Information and Communications Technology strategic plan for clinical trials.

For information on the consultation process and discussion papers, visit ww.innovation.gov.au/clinicaltrials

The deadline has now passed. Click here to view the document submited by ASCEPT.

News from other organisations

British Pharmacological Society

Newsletter (February 2010)

Forthcoming Conferences

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring SES

Friday 12 March 2010
Brisbane

Click here to download flyer

This meeting will bring together laboratory biochemists, chemical pathologists, clinical pharmacologists and pharmacists to present on different aspects of TDM. After a brief introduction to the underlying principles of TDM, a range of current topics will be presented by experts in their respective fields. Aspects of TDM from specimen collection through to dose individualisation in patients will be included.

Those involved in TDM come from a range of professional backgrounds. This meeting will provide an excellent opportunity to hear from, and meet others from a range of professional perspectives. It will benefit those who consider themselves novices in the area through to those who have high levels of expertise. An opportunity exists for further informal interaction during the proposed dinner in the evening.

The next e-news will be sent out on Friday 12 March 2010. If there is information you would like to include, please email it to ascept@meetingsfirst.com.au by Monday 8 March 2010.

Roselyn Rose'Meyer
ASCEPT Newsletter Editor