The prestigious PMEA ceremony made its grand return on 21 November at the elegant Sheraton Grand in London, celebrating outstanding achievements within the realm of pharmaceutical marketing.
This year’s awards evening marked the 24th edition of the event and commenced with an engaging networking session, attracting hundreds of attendees clad in sophisticated evening attire, all buzzing with anticipation to learn who would be crowned the winners of the 2024 PMEA Awards.
The esteemed PMEA programme is renowned for its dedication to honoring initiatives that tangibly benefit patients and contribute to societal well-being, ensuring recognition for excellence across global, regional, and local markets.
This year’s awards featured an expanded roster of 17 categories, a notable increase from 14 in 2023. The coveted PMEA Company of the Year award was thoughtfully divided into two segments: small/medium companies and large enterprises. Additionally, a brand new category acknowledging Excellence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries was introduced, reflecting an expanded focus on global health disparities.
Following a delightful formal dinner, the audience was treated to the comedic talents of Angela Barnes, who took to the stage alongside this year’s chair, Stephanie Hall, the visionary founder and CEO of Uptake.
Winning the first accolade of the evening, Excellence in Engaging and Educating Patients, was the impressive initiative titled ‘An Outbreak of Optimism: Raising Atopic Dermatitis Patients’ Hope for the Future’, presented by Sanofi and Regeneron in collaboration with Havas Lynx. The judges praised this program as a “well-planned and tailored long-term approach to support a huge drug launch,” underlining its statistically significant results that were difficult to overlook.
The Excellence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries award was claimed by Roche for their remarkable project, ‘Roche-Government Cote d’Ivoire Partnership’. Judges lauded this effort for its “extremely impressive public/private partnership” and thorough needs assessment conducted in collaboration with a diverse array of stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, healthcare professionals, and international partners.
The highly competitive Support Agency of the Year Award was awarded to Possible. The judging panel noted: “The [agency is] small and clearly focused, recently founded and with a strong growth trajectory delivering quality work and innovation.”
In a grand finale, the coveted PMEA Company of the Year award was presented to Amgen, which greatly impressed the judges with its strong showing in two categories earlier in the evening. They highlighted the company’s adept leadership team and acknowledged its commitment to cultivating marketing skills and fostering customer connections, utilizing a cohesive cross-functional approach in stakeholder engagement.
An evening filled with lively dancing and vibrant networking events followed, marking the successful culmination of another remarkable PMEA celebration.
The complete results of the PMEA 2024 awards can be viewed here.
How does the PMEA Awards ceremony contribute to the advancement of pharmaceutical marketing practices?
**Interview with Stephanie Hall, Chair of the 2024 PMEA Awards**
*Interviewer*: Thank you for joining us today, Stephanie. The PMEA ceremony made a remarkable return this year at the Sheraton Grand in London. What were your initial thoughts as the evening unfolded?
*Stephanie Hall*: Thank you for having me! It was truly exhilarating to see so many brilliant minds in one room, all dedicated to improving patient care through pharmaceutical marketing. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation. Given this was the 24th edition, it was wonderful to witness the continued commitment from the industry to not only recognize excellence but also to inspire innovation that directly benefits patients.
*Interviewer*: This year, the awards expanded to 17 categories, with significant adjustments like splitting the PMEA Company of the Year into small/medium and large companies. What prompted this expansion?
*Stephanie Hall*: The decision to increase the categories was driven by the dynamic evolution within the pharmaceutical sector. We wanted to ensure that we recognize the unique contributions of companies of all sizes and their impact in diverse markets. Additionally, the new category for Excellence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries reflects our growing awareness of global health disparities. It’s vital that we celebrate initiatives that enhance access to healthcare across different socio-economic landscapes.
*Interviewer*: One of the highlights of the evening was the initiative titled “An Outbreak of Optimism: Raising Atopic Dermatitis Patients’ Hope” winning the award for Excellence in Engaging and Educating Patients. Can you tell us why this project stood out?
*Stephanie Hall*: Absolutely! This initiative resonated with the judging panel because it exemplifies how effective marketing can transform patient experiences. It not only educated patients about atopic dermatitis but also empowered them with hope and a sense of community. Projects like this inspire others in the industry to prioritize patient-centric approaches, which is fundamentally what the PMEA Awards are about.
*Interviewer*: Following your formal dinner, the audience enjoyed a performance by Angela Barnes. How do you feel the blend of entertainment and recognition enhances the overall experience of the awards ceremony?
*Stephanie Hall*: We believe that recognition should not only be about awards but also creating enjoyable experiences. Angela’s comedic talent provided a perfect balance to the formalities of the evening. It reminded everyone that while we take our roles seriously, we can also celebrate our achievements with joy and laughter. This blend makes the event memorable and fosters a sense of camaraderie among the attendees.
*Interviewer*: what excites you most about the future of the PMEA Awards?
*Stephanie Hall*: I’m incredibly optimistic about the PMEA Awards’ role in shaping the future of pharmaceutical marketing. Each year, we see innovative ideas and passionate contributions that drive better health outcomes. I look forward to seeing how the industry evolves, especially with an emphasis on inclusivity and addressing global health challenges. The PMEA will continue to be a platform for sharing ideas and inspiring future initiatives.
*Interviewer*: Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing your insights with us. We look forward to seeing how the PMEA continues to evolve in the years to come.
*Stephanie Hall*: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure.