The OTC & Pharmacy Retail Awards were due to run on Thursday, March 12th with over 250 of Ireland’s retail pharmacy professionals and leading OTC manufacturers in attendance.
Natalie Maginnis, Managing Director of IPN Communications, organisers of the event said,
“While an incredible amount of work went into planning this year’s OTC & Retail Pharmacy Product Awards, and all of our entrants and finalists have put immense time and energy into their applications and presentations, it has reached a point with COVID-19 where we felt it was absolutely necessary to cancel the annual event in order to protect the health and safety of attendees.
“We believe that cancelling this years’ event is the ethical to do when we have a large gathering of people in an enclosed environment with a risk of spread. Given that a large number of these guests work in healthcare, dealing with those that are amongst the sickest people of society.”
The OTC & Pharmacy Retail Awards are the only industry awards that specifically recognise and reward the companies and their products within the OTC market.
Created in 2015, they recognise Ireland’s best OTC and retail pharmacy products. The awards applaud the investment by these companies, both large and small, into product development, training, marketing initiatives and promotional campaigns.
They were judged by an expert judging panel, which includes independent retail pharmacy owners, OTC buyers from pharmacy chains, symbol groups, co-operatives and buying groups.
Alternative arrangements for the presentation of the winners certificates and awards are being organised separately, Ms Maginnis confirmed.
