Merck KGaA’s Oschmann elected president of IFPMA

Global pharma trade body the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) has elected Merck KGaA's Stefan Oschmann as its new president.

Oschmann is currently CEO of Merck's pharma business but is due to become deputy CEO of the entire group at the beginning of next year in a shake-up of Merck's leadership.

He succeeds John Lechleiter, chairman, president and CEO at Lilly, who has completed his two-year term after taking over from former AstraZeneca CEO David Brennan.

Oschmann has worked in life sciences for several decades, including roles early in his career at the German Animal Health Federation and the German Chemical Industry Association.

His pharma experience includes an 11-year spell at Merck's US-based namesake Merck & Co, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, before joining Germany-based Merck in 2011.

As president of IFPMA he will head the organisation's work as it engages with international organisations and global health stakeholders on global health policy issues with a focus on innovation and access to quality pharmaceuticals.

Oschmann said he was honoured to take over the role at an important time for global health.

“Current challenges around non-communicable diseases and infectious diseases demonstrate the need for stronger health systems as well as for local innovative solutions in low and middle income countries,” he said.

“As an industry, we will continue to explore how the research-based pharmaceutical industry can sustainably meet the needs and expectations of patients and societies, building on our transformational partnerships to support health goals in these countries.”