GPhA names new SVP government affairs

WASHINGTON — The Generic Pharmaceutical Association on Tuesday announced the addition of Chris Bowlin, who will serve as the organization’s SVP government affairs. Bowlin has worked for more than 25 years in different roles in the private sector, the executive branch and Congress. He joins GPhA at a time that president and CEO Chip Davis called one of “unprecedented opportunities and challenges for the generic drug industry.”

 

“Chris has been at the forefront of many of the most critical health care debates over the last two decades and will be a strong addition to the GPhA leadership team,” Davis said. “He brings strong relationships and deep experience at all levels of government, and will be a tremendous asset to the association and our members as we continue to advocate for policies and programs that save patients and the U.S. health system billions of dollars, promote pharmaceutical competition and expand access to more affordable generic medicines.” 

 

Formerly, Bowlin has been the chief health policy advisor to Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., and was on former Speaker John Boehner’s House Education and Workforce Committee. He has also been the Department of Health and Human Service’s deputy assistant secretary for legislation, working with secretary Michael Leavitt on issues surrounding the FDA, Medicare and Medicaid. He has worked in government relations for such organizations as the American Medical Association, the Health Insurance Association of America and the National Association of Manufacturers. 

 

“This role presents a unique opportunity for me, both personally and professionally, to find innovative policy solutions that will positively impact patient health in fiscally responsible ways,” Bowlin said. “I look forward to working with the team to ensure that patients and providers have access to safe, effective and affordable generic and biosimilar medicines in an expeditious manner.”