Watson appoints former GPhA executive as VP government affairs

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has hired a former executive from the Generic Pharmaceutical Association to head lobbying at the federal and state level, the company said Wednesday.

Watson announced the appointment of James Fenton as VP U.S. government affairs. In the new position, Fenton will work out of Watson's Washington offices and will be responsible for leading the company's expanded federal and state government affairs activities.

Fenton previously served as the GPhA's SVP government affairs, directing the industry group's government affairs efforts and playing a role in the passage of the Generic Drug User Fee Act. Before working for GPhA, Fenton worked for 15 years in the office of former Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, most recently as chief of staff.

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