Mylan Co-founder Dies at 77

Milan “Mike” Puskar, the co-founder and former chairman of generic drug maker Mylan, Inc., died October 7th at the age of 77, after battling cancer. Mylan, headquartered in Canonsburg, PA, was founded in 1961 as a drug distributor, until 1966, when it received federal approval to manufacture its first drug, Penicillin G. The company is now one of the largest generic and specialty pharmaceuticals companies. Mr. Puskar served as chairman of Mylan from 1993 to 2009, when he retired.
 
“Mike was a pioneer in many ways and helped to create the generics industry as we know it today,” said chief executive officer of Mylan, Robert Coury. “Those of us who knew Mike personally will always remember him as a strong leader, thoughtful mentor, generous benefactor and faithful friend. His greatest gift to Mylan, however, was his insistence on high quality. Through this determined focus on quality, Mylan raised the bar for the entire generic pharmaceutical industry.”
 
Mr. Puskar was also a philanthropist and donated millions of dollars to West Virginia University. University officials praised Mr. Puskar in a statement as a successful businessman who was “able to help so many others, and he took great pride and care in his generosity to West Virginia University.”