The drawn-out appointment follows the presentation of 2006 plans for the brand by what PRWeek understands was at least six agencies.

The product is a treatment for actinic keratosis, a precursor to skin cancer.

The pitch process began in the middle of last year (PRWeek, 12 August 2005).

For the past three years Solaraze has been promoted in the UK by Resolute Communications, which continues to handle international PR for the brand.

The 2006 PR contract for Solaraze still remains up for grabs.

Resolute said: 'We are pitching now for the UK PR contract for Solaraze – we understand that it is us against one other agency.
We have never had the UK medical education business for Solaraze.'
HSD would not comment on whether it was the 'other agency'.
Shire Pharmaceuticals was unavailable for comment as PRWeek went to press.

HSD's work on Solaraze is being managed by director Suzie Collett, the former Manning Selvage & Lee associate director who joined ten  months ago (PRWeek, 25 March 2005).

Separately, HSD has recruited Jo Bloom as an account manager. She will work for clients including Shire, as well as Viatris and Reckitt Benckiser.

Bloom formerly worked for the British Lung Foundation as a project officer.