Best healthcare product launch

Recognises the most effective launch of a healthcare product. This  excludes drugs and food, but includes products linked to improving  health, including vitamin products and products designed to tackle,  for example, obesity, cigarette or alcohol addiction, or mental ill health. The campaign launch objectives, strategy and method deployed  should be clearly set out. The campaign can feature a number of  different disciplines, including (but not limited to) media relations,  content/social media activity and lobbying. 

Best pharmaceutical product launch (OTC)

Recognises the most effective launch of an over-the-counter drug. It  can include communications with target audiences such as primary care departments, NHS budget holders, patient groups and specialist media as well as disease awareness and direct to consumer work.

Best pharmaceutical product launch (non-OTC)

Recognises the most effective launch of a prescription-only drug. It can include communications with target audiences such as prescribers,  primary care departments, NHS budget holders, patient groups and specialist media as well as disease awareness and direct to consumer work.

Best healthcare/pharma crisis comms response

Recognises the most effective crisis management of an issue by a  consultancy or corporate in-house team, or a combination of both, in  the healthcare/pharma sectors relating to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Best public health awareness campaign

Recognises the best campaign to manage or promote awareness of a  particular disease or condition (excluding the coronavirus). It can be  aimed at the wider general public or at a more specific, targeted group.

Best use of content in a healthcare/pharma campaign

This award will be given for the most effective use of content as part of  a healthcare/pharma campaign. The entry can come from the private,  public or third sectors, or a combination.

Best use of media relations in a healthcare/pharma campaign

Recognises the best use of media relations as part of a healthcare/ pharma campaign. It could include reactive or proactive media relations  activities, or a combination of both.

Best use of public affairs in a healthcare/pharma campaign

Recognises the best healthcare/pharma campaign with a specific public affairs objective; for example, a change in law or new approach by  a government or another public body. The campaign can feature a number of different disciplines, including (but not limited to) media relations, content/social media activity and lobbying.

Best use of social media and/or influencers in a healthcare/pharma campaign

Recognises the best use of social media or social media ‘influencers’ as part of a healthcare/pharma campaign. Judges will be looking for  evidence of how social media and/or influencer activity helped achieve specific goals, eg: changing public sentiment towards a company, selling more products, or changing behaviours.

Best healthcare/pharma comms professional (agency)

This award will go to the agency-side professional in a leadership role who is judged to have achieved the most in healthcare/pharma comms in the past 12 months.

Healthcare/pharma comms newcomer of the year

Open to PR professionals in healthcare/pharma comms who have worked in the sector for no more than three years. Nominations are accepted from employers, who should include the details of the nominee’s career history and professional qualifications. Along with the submission, please attach a 200 word statement or short video from the person nominated, outlining why they feel they should win this award. 

Best healthcare/pharma comms professional (in-house)

This award will go to the in-house professional in a senior role who is judged to have achieved the most in healthcare/pharma comms in the past 12 months.

Best Healthcare Agency Merger & Acquisition Deal (NEW!)

This category recognises the best merger and/or acquisition deal involving a healthcare communications agency in the UK completed in either the 2021 calendar year or in the 2022 calendar year so far.

Best agency healthcare/pharma comms practice

This category recognises the best healthcare/pharma comms practice or division within an agency. Judges will be looking for evidence of market  share and financial growth at the practice/division, particularly in relation to healthcare/pharma comms. They will be looking at client list growth and client retention.

Best healthcare/pharma comms agency

This category is open to any consultancy for which healthcare and/or pharma comms accounts for the majority of its revenue. Judges will be  looking for evidence of market share and financial growth at the agency, particularly in relation to healthcare/pharma comms.

Best healthcare/pharma in-house comms team

Open to any in-house team in the healthcare/pharma industry. In your entry please include the number of staff employed within the team (split  executive and support staff) and annual PR budget (broken down into areas of marketing activity directly under the teams control).