March 27, 2018
Congratulations to Dr. Gordon Amidon, winner of the American Pharmacists Association's 2018 Takeru Higuchi Research Prize.

Gordon L. Amidon, PhD, William I. Higuchi Distinguished University Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Charles R. Walgreen Jr. Professor of Pharmacy, received the American Pharmacists Association's 2018 Takeru Higuchi Research Prize at the APhA's annual meeting and exposition March 15-19 in Nashville, TN.

The Takeru Higuchi Research Prize recognizes scientists who have demonstrated effective and persistent efforts in pioneering a new concept applicable to the pharmaceutical sciences. The award, which is international in scope and stature, was established in 1981 in honor of Takeru Higuchi, the first president of the APhA Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The award is recognized no more than once every 3 years. 

Professor Amidon received an MA in mathematics and a PhD in pharmaceutical chemistry from University of Michigan.  Professor William I. Higuchi, who won the Takeru Higuchi Research Prize in 1987, served as his graduate advisor. 

Professor Amidon’s scientific contributions to our understanding of the physicochemical and physiologic factors that govern oral drug absorption are unrivaled and have served as the foundation for guiding principles used by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the determination of generic drug bioequivalence.  For a more detailed review of Professor Amidon's life and career to date, see the article written by Professor Maureen Donovan (University of Iowa) et al. that was published in the September 2015 issue of the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, a special edition of the journal dedicated to Professor Amidon and his many contributions to the pharmaceutical sciences.

Professor Amidon rejoined the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy faculty in 1983 as a professor of pharmaceutics, and has led, mentored, and served the faculty, staff, and students at Michigan for over 30 years. Professor Amidon has co-authored over 30 book chapters and edited eight textbooks in the pharmaceutical sciences, published over 375 peer-reviewed scientific articles, and has been cited over 20,000 times by peers. 

The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, represents more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States.