The Burrill Report (July 19, 2010): Can PhRMA's New CEO Repair the Industry's Image?(.MP3,12.33 Mb)

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America named John Castellani as president and CEO replacing Billy Tauzin, who stepped down from the post earlier this year and remains a senior advisor to the trade group. Castellani, who headed the Business Roundtable, comes at a difficult time for the industry. Its reputation with the public is suffering, its relationships in Congress are strained, and headlines over drug safety plague it as it readies for a legislative fight to renew the Prescription Drug User Fee Act. We spoke to Ian Spatz, former vice president of global health policy at Merck and founder of the Rock Creek Policy Group, about a recent In Vivo blog he penned in which he offered his advice to PhRMA’s new CEO, why repairing the industry’s reputation should be Castellani’s top priority, and why the industry remains unloved by the public at large.