Pharmaceutical Executive Europe - September 2008 - (Page 25) Last Words… The month in pharma, according to industry leaders, regulators and commentators. “He is one of the most talented and respected executives in this industry and we wish him well in his future endeavours.” — GSK’s Andrew Witty on the departure of the company’s president of North American Pharmaceuticals, Chris Viehbacher, who had earlier stood against Witty for the top job. “We were initially optimistic that we would find a buyer because there was considerable interest. Unfortunately, that interest has not translated into a sale.” — Pam Duffy, Pfizer’s vice president of manufacturing for Ireland, on the announcement of the closure of the Irish manufacturing site. “We are a small-to-mid-sized company, and we think the best recipe is to focus on our expertise in epilepsy and immunology.” “Pharmaceutical companies have enjoyed double-digit growth year on year and they are out to sustain that, not least because their senior management’s earnings are related to the share price.” — Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, chairman of the UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), criticises the pharma industry’s ‘overpricing’ of vital new medicines. — UCB spokesperson Antje Witte, on the company’s decision to shed 2000 employees and ‘restructure’ as a specialty drug firm. “NICE needs to combine pure economic arithmetic with other considerations: the severity of the condition, the availability of alternative treatments, the consequences of refusing treatment in terms of the length and quality of life, and the savings in the use of carers.” — Richard Barker, ABPI director general, in response to Sir Michael Rawlin’s accusations. “Pharma is feeling the pressure. If you are a pharmaceuticals executive looking at what’s coming off-patent in the next few years, and at what’s in Phase III, the answer on both is bad. It is not just bad, it is scary.” — Bob Higgins, professor of healthcare innovation at Harvard University, on the increasing reliance of Big Pharma on academic institutions for new scientific discoveries. 4 News A round-up of the last four weeks in pharma. 7 Calendar Upcoming conferences and exhibitions. 10 Brussels Report Competition between the bioindustry associations. 12 Strategy Fundamentals Applying VRIO competencies in your business.
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