Content about People in the News

WASHINGTON — Some people liked President Barack Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night, and some people didn't, and the response from the drug industry was no less mixed.

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association called for measures to lower healthcare costs, including ensuring that generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars reach patients' hands quickly and also avoiding measures intended to provide savings that the GPhA said would raise prescription drug costs, though the grow didn't specify what those measures were.

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has added a University of California at Los Angeles medical professor to its board of directors, the Israeli drug maker said.

Teva announced the appointment of Arie Belldegrun, who is a director at the UCLA Institute of Urology Oncology and professor and chair of urologic oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine. The company appointed Belldegrun at its Feb. 5 meeting to fill a vacancy, and Belldegrun's term will extend the drug maker's 2013 annual shareholder meeting.

NEW YORK — The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has announced the winners of a competition it sponsored to increase awareness and use of evidence-based healthcare tools in retail health settings, the government agency said.

MIAMI — Green Innovations on Monday expanded its recently formed strategic advisory board, the company announced.

Joining the advisory board is Mark DeFilippo, a 20-year category management veteran from Walgreens. DeFilippo managed several categories across the front end, including candy and batteries, and OTC products such as cough-cold, pain and sleep remedies.  

PITTSBURGH — GlaxoSmithKline has promoted Pam Prisk to director of corporate development for GSK Consumer Healthcare North America, effective immediately.  

NEW YORK — President Obama has re-nominated Marilyn Tavenner as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, according to published reports.

The Hill, a Washington-based newspaper that covers Capitol Hill, noted that Tavenner had received an endorsement from House majority leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., who had worked with her when she was in charge of the Medicaid program in his state. Still, she could face a tougher time in the Senate.

JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. — Pharmacy automation system manufacturer Innovation has appointed Stephen Donohue as divisional VP sales, chain and high volume, the company said Thursday.

Innovation, which makes the PharmASSIST automation system, said Donohue would lead all the company's sales and marketing activity for the retail chain, mail order and central fill markets.

NEW YORK — Verizon Communications on Thursday elected Greg Wasson, Walgreens president and CEO, to the Verizon board of directors, effective March 1.

"Greg Wasson brings to Verizon an in-depth knowledge of the retail and healthcare industries," stated Lowell McAdam, Verizon chairman and CEO. "He offers a unique perspective as the leader of a successful Fortune 50 company focused on innovation, traditional and nontraditional growth, operational and technical excellence, and multichannel integration. We welcome him as a valuable addition to our board."

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold has appointed the former head of one of its European supermarket chains to an executive position in its U.S. division.

Ahold USA said it appointed Jan van Dam as EVP supply chain and e-commerce, in which he will focus on supply chain for the company's four U.S. divisions, Stop & Shop in the New York area and New England, Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle. He will also be responsible for the company's e-commerce business with Andrew Parkinson, president and general manager of online grocery company Peapod, reporting to him.

NEW YORK — A new report sheds light on some of the opportunities and challenges that exist in follow-on biologics, arguing that their opportunity to generate value depends on factors like the speed of development, clarity of regulation, ease of access and the roles of all stakeholders.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — H. D. Smith on Monday announced the appointment of Tim Booth to EVP, Smith Medical Partners. Smith Medical Partners is a wholly owned subsidiary of H. D. Smith focused on specialty pharmaceutical distribution and services, and is part of the newly formed H. D. Smith Specialty Solutions group.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Merz North America on Monday named Jim Hartman VP of the Merz Aesthetics business unit, which includes Xeomin, Radiesse and Belotero Balance. 

Hartman was hired in June 2012 to lead the U.S. Dermatology Business Unit, which includes Naftin, Mederma and the recently launched Onmel. Prior to joining Merz, Hartman was VP global marketing and business development at Obagi Medical Products, a provider of topical skin care treatments.