Jimenez Relishes Prospect of EFPIA Presidency

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) has announced the official appointment of Joe Jimenez, CEO of Novartis, as its new President. He will work alongside the new Vice Presidents, Dr. Stefan Oschmann, CEO Pharma of Merck KGaA, and Marc de Garidel, Chairman and CEO of Ipsen.

Jimenez was previously EFPIA Vice-President. He was already President-Elect at the time of former EFPIA President Chris Viehbacher’s resignation on October 29, 2014, and was due to take over leadership of EFPIA in June 2015. Jimenez’s appointment is likely to run until June 2017, but his must be ratified during the EFPIA General Assembly in June 2015.

"My vision is for a prosperous Europe in which all stakeholders are aligned towards improving and rewarding positive patient outcomes. I believe this is the right thing to do for patients, and for the sustainability of our health systems. Importantly, it will also drive sustained R&D investment and jobs in Europe,” he said.

According to Richard Bergström, Director General of EFPIA, Jimenez’s experience in the pharmaceutical industry, both within and beyond EFPIA, will prove of great value, and his dedication to cross-sector dialogue and collaboration will help EFPIA to take its Health & Growth strategy to the next level.

Launched in 2014, EFPIA’s Health & Growth strategy aims to take an innovative collaborative approach towards a stronger, healthier EU, around three pillars: health outcomes, sustainable financing, and a thriving ecosystem. As Europe emerges from the financial crisis, there is an opportunity to re-orient the way European health systems operate, moving from a focus on transactions to a paradigm centered on health outcomes for patients, Bergström believes.

“I look forward to taking on this important role and to working with my colleagues in the pharmaceutical industry, and with our stakeholders, as we shape the future of innovative medicines in Europe. With the new Commission in office, it is an exciting time as health and life sciences are central to the EU agenda,” noted Jimenez.

Read the full release here.