EFPIA announces new president

CEO of GSK announced as head of EFPIA

Reports from yesterday have confirmed that GlaxoSmithKline chief executive Andrew Witty has taken over as the head of the EFPIA.

The organisation, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Association (EFPIA), represents all research-based pharmaceutical companies operating in Europe and will now see Mr Witty succeeding outgoing President Arthur J. Higgins, CEO of Bayer HealthCare.

According to reports on PharmaTimes.com, Witty has commented that his presidency comes at a "challenging time," when the "policy considerations of healthcare have probably never been more pertinent".

"Well prepared"

Witty, who has acted as VP of EFPIA since 2008 went on to thank the outgoing president "for the focus he brought to the role of president, and the solid base it provides." According to reports, Witty believes that Higgins' efforts has meant that all of those involved in EFPIA are now "well prepared for future engagement and cooperation with the new Commission, European Parliament, member states, patients and other stakeholders."

"21st Century approach"

The new president also discussed the need for a "21st Century approach to healthcare, one that provides access to optimal and equitable quality of care in a manner that is sustainable". As part of his inauguration, Witty also added that the pharmaceutical industry needed "policies that make this [approach] a reality, as well as policies that recognise innovation, thereby equipping us to develop new medicines and therapies that citizens seek."

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