Ian C. Read, chairman and chief executive officer of Pfizer, Inc., was elected chairman of the trade association Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Also Kenneth C. Frazier, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Merck & Co., Inc., was named chairman-elect of PhRMA’s board of directors, and George A. Scangos, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Biogen Idec, was named board treasurer.
 
Mr. Read succeeds Robert J. Hugin, chairman and chief executive officer of Celgene Corp., as PhRMA’s chairman.
 
“Bob Hugin is a true champion of the value that innovative medicines deliver to patients, public health and our economy. Over the past year, his tireless efforts to create new dialogues with partners in the patient community and enthusiasm for better conveying the value of our sector have greatly enhanced our advocacy for forward-looking policies that promote innovation and provide patient access to new medicines,” said PhRMA president and chief executive officer John J. Castellani.
 
“At a time when collaborative medical science and healthcare delivery in the U.S. and around the world are rapidly evolving, we are fortunate to have Ian Read as chairman,” Castellani added. “His vision for the future of our healthcare system will help guide PhRMA as we embark on the many challenges and opportunities ahead.”
 
“Our highest priority and purpose as an industry is to deliver life-saving medicines to those who need them most. We are poised to enter another golden era of innovation, transforming the way we do research and development to speed the discovery of innovative new medicines,” Mr. Read said. “To be successful in our purpose, we must have a reputation that ensures the full support of all segments of civil society. We are judged, ultimately, by our actions and we must work hard to earn the trust and respect of our regulators, legislators, healthcare professionals, R&D partners and most importantly the patients who depend on us, now and into the future.”
 
“The outstanding contributions being made to society by the biopharmaceutical companies who make up PhRMA’s membership inspire me every day. I am enthusiastic about my new responsibilities and look forward to supporting PhRMA’s ongoing efforts to advance healthcare for patients, caregivers and society,” Mr. Frazier said.
 
 “We are entering an era of medical innovation that offers a real chance to find therapies for some of the most challenging diseases, from Alzheimer’s, to ALS, to many of the cancers that now have few or no treatments. Success will require not only superior science but also sound public policy. I look forward to working with my industry colleagues, policymakers, and others toward a world where patients can reap the full promise of what our industry has to offer,” said Dr. Scangos.