NPC announces new strategic focus

Source: Healthcare Digital

Date :04/09/2007 15:58:37

The National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC) announced a new strategic focus on evidence-based medicine (EBM) for health care decision making.

While NPC's overarching mission remains to sponsor and conduct scientific analyses of the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals and the clinical and economic value of pharmaceutical innovation, the focus on EBM represents a new priority for NPC. NPC will be reorganizing and hiring additional staff with the clinical, scientific, and methodological expertise necessary to the focus on EBM.

"NPC has always worked on behalf of the research-based pharmaceutical industry to anticipate pivotal issues, engage with stakeholders to shape workable solutions, and sponsor research to inform choices facing health care decision makers," says Joseph M. Mahady, president of Global Business for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and NPC Board Chairman. "In prioritizing NPC's activities, the Board unanimously agreed that NPC should focus on evidenced-based coverage and access as the highest priority moving forward."

The new focus on EBM will build on NPC's history of working with researchers, patients, medical professionals, and payers, including employers and government officials. Recent NPC work on EBM has included engagement with the Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Evidence-Based Medicine, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and the Health Industry Forum. In pursuing its new focus on EBM, NPC will:

- Facilitate dialogue between the pharmaceutical industry and other stakeholders

- Create awareness and understanding of industry expertise and perspectives on EBM

- Participate with major stakeholders in the EBM policy debate and the pursuit of solutions.

Coinciding with the announcement of the new strategic focus, NPC President Karen Williams has announced she will be leaving her current position. According to Mahady, Williams encouraged and guided the Board's adoption of EBM as the focus for NPC and advocated for the reorganization and a search for new leadership. "It's been a privilege to work with the Board and staff, and I'm proud of what we have accomplished," says Williams.

"Karen has been a terrific resource and leader to the pharmaceutical industry for much of her professional career, especially in her role as NPC's President for the last 11 years," Mahady says. "We will certainly miss her tremendous health policy experience and wisdom, her enthusiasm, drive, and leadership on behalf of NPC and its member companies." Williams has agreed to remain at the helm of NPC during the search for her successor in order to help assure a successful transition.

Mahady says NPC is working with the Washington, DC office of the executive search firm of Korn/Ferry International to direct the search for the next President of the organization. NPC is working with Boyden Executive Search Firm in Atlanta for other senior staff positions, including a Vice President of Clinical and Scientific Affairs and a Research Director.