New Presidency team at EFPIA committed to working with EU and Member States to build back better from COVID crisis
16.06.21
Today, the EFPIA General Assembly confirmed Hubertus von Baumbach (Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors at Boehringer Ingelheim) as President of EFPIA for the next two years. Speaking about his appointment, Mr von Baumbach said. “I am committed to working with colleagues across the EFPIA Board to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and to contribute to the resilience of EU healthcare systems, to foster Europe as a global hub for pharmaceutical innovation and to collaborate on future healthcare solutions.”
He went on to say. “The pandemic has severely tested European health and economic resilience. But COVID-19 has also underlined the critical importance of a strong and competitive research, development and medical innovation ecosystem to address major health challenges and drive economic growth. Over the coming months, my colleagues and I look forward to engaging with the EU Institutions and across Member States to discuss how we can work together to ensure that the EU remains an innovation leader and to build a healthier future for European citizens.”
The General Assembly also confirmed Novo Nordisk President and CEO, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen as First Vice-president of EFPIA for the same term. Mr Jørgensen commented “From an ageing population and the burden of chronic disease, to environmental sustainability and fiscal constraints, we are committed to tackling societal challenges in partnership. That includes working with governments to reduce access delays and improve the availability of medicines for patients across Europe. I look forward to working with the EFPIA Board and the wider community to achieve the shared goal of building a future EU health and innovation union.”
Mr Olivier Laureau, President of Servier, completes the new presidency team at EFPIA as Second Vice President. Following the General Assembly, Mr Laureau said. “Recent events have demonstrated the key role medical innovation plays in keeping our society safe and healthy. Our ambition is for Europe to be a world leader in life science. Realising that goal means EFPIA and its membership working with the EU and Member States to build a world-class regulatory system, a strong and predictable IP framework and a next generation life sciences eco-system that delivers for patients across Europe and around the world.”
At the start of the new Presidency, EFPIA Director General Nathalie Moll said. “Under the leadership of the new President and Vice-Presidents we look forward to working across all stakeholders to build a healthier future for Europe. A future based on prevention, innovation that can address unmet medical needs, access to new treatments and better outcomes for patients across Europe.”