One of the highlights of Australia’s world-class complementary medicines industry, the 21st annual CMA awards, were held last week. Over 300 people from the complementary medicines industry gathered on 25 February 2021, to celebrate the outstanding winners in a glittering awards ceremony at the Hyatt Hotel in Sydney.
Celebrating Ausralia's world-class complementary medicines industry
Judged by an independent panel, each coveted Award was hotly contested, warmly received, and greatly celebrated.
And the awards go to …
The Lady Cilento Award for Lifetime Achievement
CMA’s most prestigious Award, the Lady Cilento Award, honours an individual’s lifetime achievement and outstanding contribution to the industry and our community.
This year, this coveted Award went to a former president of CMA and long-time board member, the former Chief Executive Officer of Lipa Pharmaceuticals, Dusko Pejnovic. Dusko is recognised for his absolute commitment to promoting and growing the complementary medicines industry domestically and internationally and for his focus and passion for raising quality standards.
The Vince Russell Retailer of the Year Award
Honouring the most outstanding complementary healthcare industry retailer, the Vince Russell Retailer of the Year this year was won by the team at Go Vita Woden in Canberra.
The team employs qualified naturopaths, herbalists and nutritionists and offer a high-quality service for the local community. As well as being respected by industry and suppliers, Go Vita Woden is also acclaimed by its suppliers, partners and its loyal customers.
The Social Selling Award
Supported by Direct Selling Australia, this important CMA award recognises excellence by an organisation that provides quality complementary medicines to consumers via the exciting direct selling sales channel. For the second year in a row, the Social Selling award was won by the team at Herbalife Nutrition Australia and New Zealand.
The Exporter of the Year Award
Many congratulations to the team at Swisse for winning the Exporter of the Year award for the second year in a row. Sponsored by Transchem, this key award recognises excellence by a CMA Member engaged in international business, achieving sustainable growth through innovation and commitment to exportation.
The largest exhibitor on the CMA’s Australia Pavilion at HNC Healthplex in Shanghai, China Swisse is building substantial export markets in Korea, Italy, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, and India and achieved great success for Singles Day Sales in China.
The Sustainability Award
Now in its second year, this prestigious award recognises a business that focuses on initiatives that demonstrate leadership, commitment, and innovation in sustainability. Sponsored by Blackmores, the Sustainability Award was taken by William, Pradeep and the team at Ferngrove Pharmaceuticals, Australia.
The award reflects Ferngrove’s commitment to sustainability, clean energy, net-zero carbon pledge, war on waste, climate action plan, sustainable packaging program and more.
The Contribution to Research, Education or Training Award
Congratulations to Dr Lesley Braun and the team at Blackmores Institute for winning the Contribution to Research, Education or Training.
Blackmores Institute created the first certification program for pharmacy staff and are recognised for their Credential Certification of Pharmacists and pharmacy assistants’ initiative; a huge achievement that is driving knowledge and awareness of Complementary medicines in pharmacy.
The Industry Contributor of the Year Award
Honouring the consistent, dedicated contribution of an individual or team to the advancement and promotion of any aspect of the complementary medicines industry, this year’s award acknowledges Michael Micallef, who is celebrating 20 years at Metagenics.
Michael’s contribution to the world of regulation has been astonishing – he has Chaired the CMA Regulatory Sub-Committee during the biggest reforms to our regulatory system; he is at the forefront of the development of new Probiotics guidelines and much more.
The Manufacturing Award
The High-Quality Manufacturing Award celebrates high standards and investment in manufacturing processes. It demonstrates a commitment to our environment; the Manufacturing Award went to Rob Tanna and the team at Lipa Pharmaceuticals.
Judges were impressed with Lipa’s turnkey solutions to make the manufacturing of vitamin supplements a simple process whilst delivering the highest quality, shelf-ready products.
The Raw Material Supplier Award
BJP Laboratories have sponsored this award which recognises the complementary medicines industry’s quality raw material supplier of the year. Many congratulations to Eric, George and the Pharamko team, who were recently awarded full TGA manufacturing licence and are also the first to hold a manufacturing license for clinical trials
The Award recognises the fact that the winners are highly respected by industry partners – and this is backed by the number of and high-quality nominations made by industry partners.
The Wholesaler or Distributor Award
Celebrating the wholesaler or distributor that has made the most significant contribution to the complementary medicines industry throughout the past 12 months, this award was taken by the Complementary Medicines Group (CMG).
CMG received the greatest number of nominations – more than any other category – for maintaining exceptionally high standards of service and product delivery, especially in these challenging times. Judges were impressed with their deep knowledge and helping their customers launch and distribute products. Even as a small team, CMG is at the forefront of their arena.
The Marketing Campaign Award
Based on the strength and relevance of the message for the stated target audience, the Marketing Campaign Award recognises the complementary medicines industry’s best marketing campaign, the credible image of the product or service reflected by the campaign, its duration and the campaign’s commercial success.
Congratulations to Paula Hann and the Metagenics team for the Evolution of Inner Health. Inner Health pioneered the probiotic category in Australia in the last 25 years. The award-winning campaign launched an extensive, shelf-stable range and extended the Inner Health franchise.
The Innovator of the Year Award
Sponsored by TSI, the Innovator of the Year Award recognises excellence and the successful application by a CMA Member to the application of new ideas within their business to create value and drive performance.
Congratulations to Frank and the team at Caruso’s Natural Health, who also won the judges praise for an innovative video nomination.
The award celebrates Caruso’s shelf categorisation system – which has revolutionised point of sale – is a very complex category and makes it easier for consumers to locate products that suit their needs.
Factors Group also received a highly commended accolade from the Judging Panel this year.
The Judge’s Choice Award
Awarded to an outstanding nomination that showcases the best of our industry, embraces a new standard in quality or an innovation that will transform our sector, the Judges Choice Award was taken by Robert Hendricks and the team at SFI Heath: House of Flordis.
The Award acknowledges the achievement of Iberogast® oral liquid achieving AUST-Registered status; and Femular® as the first to have an integrative medicine product accepted by the TGA for AUST-Assessed registration.”
