NPS is inviting academics, health workers and policy makers from the Asia-Pacific region to apply for a scholarship to attend the National Medicines Symposium to be held in Sydney, Australia in May 2012.

Applications for the single scholarship will be accepted from colleagues working in low and middle income countries in the Asian and Western Pacific regions who are active in a research, teaching, practice or policy role to support rational drug use in their country.

NMS is a biennial event hosted by NPS and the scholarship winner will receive complementary registration to the event and be invited to give an oral presentation of their work as part of a concurrent session.

The winner will also have the opportunity to attend the Asia Pacific Conference on National Medicines Policies, which follows NMS 2012 and will also be held in Sydney in May 2012. This conference is being run collaboratively by NPS, the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, the University of Newcastle and the World Health Organization.
NPS CEO Dr Lynn Weekes says the scholarship provides opportunities to identify similarities and differences in quality use of medicines issues affecting Asia-Pacific and Australia.

"The theme for NMS 2012 is Building a medicinewise community and through offering this scholarship we hope to build cross-country partnerships that funnel into a quality use of medicines alumni lasting well into the future," says Dr Weekes.

"The competitive scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for somebody with an interest in quality use of medicines to share their experiences and learning amongst their peers and develop their leadership potential."

The scholarship recipient will receive complimentary registration to NMS 2012 and the Asia Pacific Conference on National Medicines Policies and up to $5000 (AUD) to cover travel, accommodation and expenses.
For more information on the general eligibility requirements, a full list of eligible countries and criteria to address in the application, visit http://www.nps.org.au/topics/nms/qum_scholarship.

Applications should be sent directly to qumscholarship@nps.org.au.
Applications close 17 February 2012 and the scholarship winner will be announced by 9 March 2012.