Pharmacy Daily | MA adds four to Board

MEDICINES Australia has welcomed four new elected Board members, with the pharmaceutical manufacturing peak body also re-electing two incumbents at its annual general meeting last week.

The newcomers include Josie Downey, Managing Director of Merck Healthcare ANZ; Lizzie Marrett, MD of Astellas Australia & New Zealand; AbbVie ANZ Vice President and GM Nathaile McNeil; and Prashant Nikam, MSD Australia and NZ Managing Director.

The re-elected Directors, who stood again following the completion of their three year terms on the Board, include Stuart Knight, General Manager of Roche Products Australia; and James McDonnell, CSL Vifor's VP and GM Australia and NZ.

The appointment of the six Directors brings the Medicines Australia Board to 11, including Dr Anna Lavelle, Chair; Adam Roach from Biogene; Anne Harris from Pfizer; GSK's Patrick Desbiens; and Ashraf Al-Ouf from Bayer.

Lavelle said "the appointment of these Board Directors comes at a pivotal time for Medicines Australia and our sector".

"Their deep industry knowledge and breadth of experiences will be a great benefit to ensure our industry can deliver better health outcomes for all Australians".

Lavelle thanked the recently departed directors for their significant service and contribution to the success of the organisation - and to the health system as a whole.

"I also wish to specifically acknowledge Selected Director, Bruce Goodwin, who has announced his retirement from the Board," she added, noting a search for a new Selected Director would start in the new yar.

Medicines Australia CEO Elizabeth de Somer welcomed the new board, saying they had become directors at a crucial time for health reform and improving patient access to innovative medicines.

"Under the Chair's guidance, the Board have set us in good stead to shape health policy and reform our system for the future," she said.

"The strategic guidance from the Board will focus our efforts on ensuring Australia prioritises patient access to innovative medicines, treatments and vaccines," de Somer said.