Walgreens names SVP pharmaceutical development, market access

DEERFIELD, Ill. Walgreens announced Thursday that Jeffrey Berkowitz, a former SVP at drug maker Merck, has joined the company.

Berkowitz will serve as Walgreens' SVP pharmaceutical development and market access, responsible for the overall pharmacy contracting strategy for the company, both on the pharmaceutical manufacturing side and on the retail payer side, the drug store chain said. He will report to Walgreens' pharmacy services president Kermit Crawford.

“As we continue our efforts to transform community pharmacy, Jeff will play a vital role in working with our partners in the pharmaceutical industry, and across the entire healthcare sector, to develop strategies in collaboration with our sales and services organization that will provide better adherence and clinical outcomes for patients,” Crawford said. “In addition, Jeff’s exceptional experience, expertise and track record of growth and success in the pharmaceutical industry will be important to further enhancing our pharmacy, health-and-wellness solutions.”

Prior to joining Walgreens, Berkowitz served as SVP global market access at Merck, part of the Merck global human health leadership team, responsible for all activity related to access, pricing, payer marketing, health outcomes and health technology assessments worldwide.