Jeffrey B. Kindler, Pfizer's chairman and chief executive officer, was elected board chairman of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Sanofi-Aventis chief executive officer Christopher Viehbacher was elected chairman-elect of the board and John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., Lilly's chairman, president and chief executive officer, was voted board treasurer.

Mr. Kindler succeeds David R. Brennan, chief executive officer and executive director of AstraZeneca, as PhRMA’s chairman. “I am proud of the accomplishments of PhRMA over the past year. During a year of many changes and uncertainties, PhRMA and its member companies worked diligently to address the health care challenges facing the United States while remaining committed to our goal of promoting solutions for patients,” said Mr. Brennan. “As we moved forward in promoting sustainable healthcare reform, our work helped change the direction of the debate to one that will lead to improved American health care.”

“I am excited to lead this organization during such a dynamic time for our nation’s healthcare system,” said Mr. Kindler. “The biopharmaceutical industry can be a catalyst for change by creating a future with good jobs and good health in the U.S. Our member companies employ many of the world’s best scientific minds to challenge the most feared diseases of our time. By advancing wellness, treatments, prevention, and cures, our member companies play a vital role in this country’s healthcare system. This role brings us many responsibilities. That’s just one reason why we are actively working to help identify solutions in the U.S. health care reform debates. We aim to be a leading voice for improving everyone’s ability to have reliable and affordable health care.”

“Reforming our health system to provide quality care to more Americans remains a top priority on the national agenda,” added Mr. Viehbacher. “As an industry, we need to continue putting patients first by delivering innovative, difference-making medicines that address unmet medical needs. Given the increased prevalence of chronic disease, we as an industry need to work with other healthcare stakeholders to encourage the prevention and better management of chronic disease which also gives rise to 75% of our healthcare spend. I look forward to working with my PhRMA colleagues and with others across the health system to advance policies that recognize the strategic importance of our industry both in terms of better health for patients, but also in terms of jobs.”

“I’m very pleased to join PhRMA’s leadership team,” Mr. Lechleiter remarked. “Our trade association will continue to play a constructive role in the pursuit of policies that will help ensure access to our medicines and create an environment that will help generate future medical innovation for the benefit of patients in the United States and around the world.”