GPhA names new president and CEO

WASHINGTON — The Generic Pharmaceutical Association has named Ralph Neas as its new president and CEO, the group said Wednesday.



Neas, currently president and CEO of the National Coalition on Health Care, replaces Kathleen Jaeger, who stepped down as president and CEO of GPhA in May 2010 after eight years with the organization. The GPhA said it planned to spend September introducing Neas to stakeholders in a broad outreach effort.



"As those in Washington and across the country continue to look for savings in our healthcare system, it is clear that the greater use of generic medications is a safe and effective way to reduce costs while providing patients with the same quality care they have come to rely on," GPhA board chairman and Watson Pharmaceuticals president and CEO Paul Bisaro said. "Ralph is a proven national leader and consensus builder who has made a career out of working with Republicans and Democrats to forge coalitions that produce pragmatic compromises to advance the best interests of the country."



Neas has worked closely with the generic drug industry over the last three years, promoting generics as a way of saving money while he led the NCHC, and the GPhA will be working with the NCHC's Cost Containment Alliance.



"I am honored to have been selected by GPhA to lead the association at such a critical time for the generic industry and for the nation," Neas said. "Generic medications have long established themselves as a vital component in lowering our country's healthcare costs by providing patients with quality care at a lower cost."