C+D reporter wins ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at Avicenna media awards

C+D’s community reporter Zainab Hussain was crowned ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at Avicenna’s annual media awards for the UK pharmacy trade press.

Zainab Hussain
Zainab Hussain joined C+D as its features assistant and community reporter in September

Ms Hussain took home the gong at the 13th annual Avicenna media awards ceremony, which took place at the Saddlers’ Hall in central London on Friday (January 26).

The judges said they were “impressed” by her “ability at such an early stage in [her] career to be talking directly to grassroots pharmacists about their roles and challenges”.

Read more: C+D scoops up two gongs for GPhC exam coverage and temporary closure exposé

They commended her for her article on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout and for “broadening the script of Pharmacy First debate by seeking views from independent prescribers”. 

“What also stood out was [her] article regarding the IP in Wales, which is often the forgotten country,” they said.

“Very honoured”

“I am very honoured to receive Avicenna’s Newcomer of the Year award,” Ms Hussain said.

“I have enjoyed every editorial piece I have worked on at C+D since joining in September last year and it is delightful to see that my passion for voicing the thoughts and concerns of contractors, as well as exploring some of community pharmacy’s key topics, has been recognised,” she added. 

Read more: Who took home a trophy at the C+D Awards 2023?

Meanwhile, C+D news editor Costanza Potter said she was “thrilled” to see Ms Hussain pick up the coveted prize so early in her time at C+D.

“It is no mean feat to win this award just four months into the job and we are all incredibly proud to see Zainab’s enthusiasm and hard work recognised by the judges,” she added.

Last year, C+D took home two prizes at the 12th annual Avicenna media awards, picking up trophies in the Newcomer of the Year and Best Support for Independent Pharmacists categories.

Sign in or register for free

Costanza Potter

Read more by Costanza Potter

Cos Potter joined C+D as its news editor in December 2022 but has been covering primary care news for over five years. After starting out at the pharmacy press in 2019, she worked at a GP title for several years before the pharmacy sector beckoned her back.

Latest from News

Nick Kaye: ‘The NPA isn’t in any mood to back down’

 
• By 
 • comment3

Chair of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) Nick Kaye has said that he “definitely wouldn't be thinking about a U-turn” on collective action, amid “real anger” over a lack of April cash.

DH to place ‘explicit restrictions’ on funded blood pressure checks

  • comment1

The pharmacy hypertension service specification is set to be updated to exclude patients who request “frequent measurement of their blood pressure”.

CPE hiring independent chair at £50k for 3-4 days a month

 
• By 
 • comment1

CPE is recruiting a new independent chair to “provide strategic leadership” – the position pays £50k a year and only requires a “time commitment” of 3-4 working days per calendar month.

More from Business

Revealed: Which Morrisons pharmacy locations are closing?

 
• By 
 • comment

Four Morrisons pharmacies across England are set to close their doors for good, the supermarket has announced.

exclusive

Revealed: Pharmacy weight loss consultations rocket twenty-fold

 
• By 
 • comment

Consultation numbers for a pharmacy service provider’s weight management service have grown “exponentially” in the last year, C+D has learned.