Richard Bergström, director general of The European Federation of the Pharmaceutical Industries and Associates (EFPIA), has resigned his post.
Described by the EFPIA’s president Joe Jimenez as “the voice of the pharmaceutical industry in Europe for the past five years”, Bergström was appointed as director general in 2011, succeeding Brian Ager.
Bergström brought almost 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience to the role, having started out as a pharmacist before holding a number of senior positions in regulatory affairs for Novartis and Roche.
He had been a member of the EFPIA board for a number of years prior to taking on the top job, joining the association from Swedish research-based pharmaceutical association LIF where he served as its director general.
Commenting on his decision to resign, Bergström said: “I am proud to leave EFPIA at a time when we have developed policies that promote innovation and patient access, such as through the focus on outcomes and on adaptive pathways to speed up the development of new medicines.
“After 15 fantastic years leading industry associations in Sweden and in Brussels, it is time for me to take on a fresh challenge.”
Led by Bergström, the search for his replacement is underway, and he has committed to continuing on as director general until a successor has been identified.