This year’s winner Klaus Kummerer from Freiburg University in Germany, who received the award at the Swedish National Pharmaceutical Congress yesterday, won as a result of his tireless work in the field.
Backsell told Outsourcing-pharma that, in addition to being the author of the landmark text “Pharmaceuticals in the Environment” Prof Kummerer has “published more than 100 peer reviewed articles on the topic.
“He has really been the person to pioneer [research] in this area and has worked for more than two decades on pharmaceuticals in the environment.”
Backsell added that, in addition to emphasising the need for collaboration between academia and industry regarding environmental issues, the award will help Kummerer attract a greater number of students to this important field of research.
Tickles nerves of sector
Backsell also spoke about why Recipharm set up the environmental award in the first place and what impact the contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) wants it to have on the pharmaceutical industry’s attitude to the environment.
He explained that: “The environmental award is designed to stimulate dialog in the industry and provide good examples of the work being done in this area.
“[It also] emphasises that the pharmaceutical industry is prepared to take its share of responsibility when it comes to the environment.”
Backsell added that: “The basic message is that if a company like ours, which is not one of the giants, can devote some much time and energy to a topic that is important for all of us, it puts pressure on other players in the industry.
“It could be a little embarrassing if major companies with big resources could not devote more energy to [environmental research],” continued Backsell, adding that “we are tickling the [drug industry’s] nerve endings by setting up this prize.”