NZSMI elects new officers

This is a supplied media release.

Tania Newman has recently been elected as president of the consumer healthcare products industry body, the New Zealand Self-Medication Industry Association (SMI).

She is currently general manager of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare NZ, and has served on the SMI board since last year. GSK is a major gTlobal business, with world-leading OTC brands such as Panadol, Voltaren, Sensodyne, Polident and Otrivin.

Ms Newman has been involved in the FMCG and consumer healthcare industry in both New Zealand and Australia, for more than 20 years. She has held senior management roles in Sales and Category for companies such as Goodman Fielder, Pfizer and RBNZ.

After taking a two-year break from the industry she was lured back by GSK moving quickly from pharmacy business manager to head of sales. Last year she was appointed general manager.

“I love this industry – it’s in my blood.  This is an industry that fosters and rewards those who create deep working relationships.  As a result, I know the value that SMI can add, and I have a good idea about how we can work towards achieving SMI’s goals.

“SMI has a vital role to play to ensure the ongoing self-regulation in the market, to develop its full potential, and to ensure that OTC products continue to be accessible to everyday NZ consumers,” she says.

The new president was voted in by SMI Council members at a meeting earlier this month. Joining Ms Newman on the SMI Executive Council is Mary Alice Simon, head of quality at API Consumer Brands; Cheryl Knox, trade marketing and customer service manager at Douglas Pharmaceuticals and Deva Dhar, general manager-NZ, at Blackmores (New Zealand).

In addition, Kurt Renner has been appointed to the Complementary Healthcare sub-committee.  Mr Renner is founder/director of Go Healthy NZ.  Lorene Hunt of GSK Consumer Healthcare NZ has been co-opted to the Council to assist Ms Newman.

SMI executive director, Scott Milne said he was very pleased with the new line-up of council members.

“We have a good mix of experience and fresh blood that will ensure SMI delivers great service to its members and supports the growth and development of the OTC medicines industry in NZ.”