Rockville, Md., July 17, 2008 — The U.S. Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention is pleased to announce that its chief science officer, Darrell Abernethy, M.D., Ph.D., will be honored with the American College of Clinical Pharmacology's (ACCP) Nathaniel T. Kwit Memorial Distinguished Service Award at the 2008 ACCP Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pa., September 14-16. Dr. Abernethy is being recognized for his lasting contributions to cardiovascular clinical pharmacology.
As chief science officer of USP, Dr. Abernethy leads the development of documentary standards that comprise USP's publications, including the United States Pharmacopeia–National Formulary (USP–NF) and the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC). These standards are used by regulatory agencies and manufacturers in the United States and throughout the world to help assure the quality, purity and strength of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements and food ingredients. Dr. Abernethy has held this position since June 2007, having previously served in a volunteer capacity for the organization as president of the USP Convention. Prior to joining USP as chief science officer, Dr. Abernethy most recently served as chief of the Laboratory of Clinical Investigation with the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health and professor of medicine and of pharmacology and molecular science at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He has more than 25 years of experience in medicine and pharmacology, and has held various positions in academia, practice and research at Baylor College, Brown University, Georgetown University, Massachusetts General Hospital and Tufts University.
The ACCP's Nathaniel T. Kwit Memorial Distinguished Service Award is given in honor of the memory of the late Nathaniel T. Kwit, M.D., FCP, a founding fellow of the organization. It recognizes an overall contribution to the field of clinical pharmacology.
Throughout his career, Dr. Abernethy has contributed to the understanding of mechanisms of peripheral distribution of drugs and drug disposition and effect in obesity. He also has contributed to the knowledge base in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic relationships of cardiovascular drugs in aging and has advanced the concept that the pathophysiology of aging must be considered when interpreting drug effects in the aged patient. His efforts have resulted in close to 200 publications of original research and more than 50 book chapters and reviews, including the textbook Principles of Clinical Pharmacology, Second Edition, published by Elsevier, which he co-authored.
"Dr. Abernethy is a leader in his field, and I congratulate him on this prestigious award," noted Roger L. Williams, M.D., USP executive vice president and CEO. "His expertise has been critical not only to the work of USP but to the practice of clinical pharmacology as a whole, and this award is a reflection of that. Through his service on various scientific advisory groups and boards as well as his editorial activities, Dr. Abernethy's efforts contribute to advancing the public health through quality medications."
"I am honored to receive this award, and thank the College for its many contributions to clinical pharmacology and for allowing me to be a part of it," said Dr. Abernethy.
Dr. Abernethy earned his M.D. and Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
USP—Advancing Public Health Since 1820
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a private, non-profit, standards-setting organization that advances public health by helping to ensure the quality and consistency of medicines, food ingredients, and dietary supplements, promoting the safe and proper use of medications, and verifying ingredients in drugs and dietary supplements. Its standards, which are recognized worldwide, are developed by a unique process of public involvement through the contributions of volunteers representing pharmacy, medicine, and other health care professions, as well as science, academia, government, the pharmaceutical and food industries, and consumer organizations. For more information about USP and its public health programs, visit www.usp.org/newscenter. FY0902