Christopher
Viehbacher, chief executive officer of sanofi-aventis, became chairman of the
Board of Directors of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
(PhRMA) today upon the resignation of Jeffrey B. Kindler of Pfizer.
In assuming the chairmanship of PhRMA, Viehbacher outlined priorities for the
industry. “As an industry, we will continue putting patients first by delivering
innovative, difference-making medicines that address unmet medical needs,” said
Viehbacher. “Given the increased prevalence and costs of chronic disease, our
industry needs to work with other healthcare stakeholders to encourage the
prevention and better management of chronic disease.”
“Chronic disease gives rise to 75 percent of our national health care spend.
I look forward to working with my PhRMA colleagues and with others across the
health system to advance policies that recognize the strategic importance of our
industry in terms of better health for patients, economic growth and jobs,” said
Viehbacher.
“Under Chris Viehbacher’s leadership, we will continue to work for sound
policies that bring the benefits of medical innovation to patients, reward
investment in R&D, help create jobs and promote economic growth in the
U.S.,” said PhRMA President and CEO John J. Castellani. “Chris has been a vocal
champion for better prevention and treatment of chronic disease – the true
driver of rising health care costs. We look forward to working with him on this
and many other challenges in the year ahead.”
“We also thank Jeff Kindler for his steady guidance and vision during a
challenging period for our sector. Jeff helped navigate us through the passage
and implementation of health care reform, in the process strengthening Medicare
Part D and expanding coverage to millions of Americans in need. We wish him the
very best going forward.”
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents
the country’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which
are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer,
healthier, and more productive lives. PhRMA companies are leading the way in the
search for new cures. PhRMA members alone invested an estimated $45.8 billion in
2009 in discovering and developing new medicines. Industry-wide research and
investment reached a record $65.3 billion in 2009.