Stefan Oschmann, CEO Pharma and Member of the Executive Board of Merck, has been elected President of IFPMA (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations).
Oschmann, who has been Vice President of IFPMA since 2012, will be in office for two years. He succeeds John Lechleiter, Chairman, President and CEO of the Executive Board of Eli Lilly.
'I plan to focus my presidency on ‘accelerating access’ to quality health solutions for people in low and middle income countries to contribute to the sustainability challenge,' he said.
'Much progress has been achieved in expanding access to health in these countries but the call for ‘accelerating access’ demonstrates that there is still so much that needs to be done and only together can we make a lasting difference.
'Recognising and nurturing innovation through local entrepreneurship in low and middle income countries is one of the principal ways we can contribute to accelerating access. The need for stronger health systems in these countries and for building healthcare capacities through local empowerment is an area where we can also help to accelerate access. The Ebola crisis is clearly a case in point. Addressing gaps and challenges in tackling the current Non-Communicable Disease epidemic is another way we can help these countries to accelerate access and overcome the burden posed by chronic diseases.'
