PhRMA Staffs Up for Reform Debate

Michael Hart -- Tradeshow Week, 10/14/2008 11:31:00 AM

Citing what officials said would be an important imminent national debate on health care reform, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America have made several leadership changes in recent weeks.

Chris Singer, executive vice president and COO since May 2006, has been named president of the international section. Before joining PhRMA, Singer was vice president and area director for Latin America at GlaxoSmithKline.

Diane Bieri, formerly a senior vice president, has been promoted to executive vice president and retains her title as general counsel. Chris Badgley, previously vice president of state government affairs, has become a senior vice president for government and public affairs.

Brian Toohey, formerly vice president for international affairs, has been promoted to senior vice president for international affairs. Also in the realm of international affairs, Jeff May has been named a vice president. Before joining PhRMA’s legal team in 2004, May was a deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Dept. of Commerce.

Finally, Bryant Hall, currently vice president of federal affairs, will take that department’s top leadership position as a senior vice president.

PhRMA President and CEO Billy Tauzin said, “As health care reform discussions take shape in the coming year, there will be great challenges. With these changes, we are even better structured to meaningfully contribute to important debates that affect patients everywhere.”