The Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries (ABPI)’s chief executive, Stephen Whitehead, will take on the newly created role of president of the Healthcare Communications Association (HCA) in 2013.
Whitehead’s appointment coincides with a reorganisation of the HCA executive committee, as Cherry Wood, managing director of Liberation Communications and current HCA chair ends her two-year tenure.
“Healthcare communications has grown in maturity and stature and must be recognised as a key contributor in the industry mission to ensure that the healthcare profession and patient organisations get the latest and most reliable information on changing medicines and the value they offer,” remarked Whitehead.
“The NHS is under huge pressure to deliver more with less, modern medicines prove their value endlessly in the ongoing battle against disease and the very sustainability of the NHS relies on innovations that reduce secondary care admissions, keep patients well at home and enable healthier longer lives.
“The healthcare communicator is a vital part of delivering a future vision of healthcare where our stakeholders understand the real value our medicines offer.
“I started my career as a healthcare communicator and it taught me many important lessons, not least if you put the patient at the heart of your thinking you cannot go wrong. I am privileged to be nominated as the first president of the HCA and to represent a vibrant, exciting and talented group of professionals,” he said.
Julia Cook, chief executive of the HCA, said: “We are delighted that Stephen has agreed to take on this new role.
“It further underlines the pivotal role that healthcare communications has to play in the pharmaceutical sector and will help facilitate closer collaboration going forward between the HCA and ABPI, which can only benefit the industry in general.
“Stephen is ideally suited to the new role, bringing a wealth of experience in healthcare communications – including 10 years at GSK and Lilly at UK, European and international levels – as well as key insights from leading roles in other industry sectors. He has already demonstrably changed both the nature and extent of communications at the ABPI”.