Generic Pharmaceutical Association

Background

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) was founded in 2001, following the merger of three industry trade organizations: the Generic Pharmaceutical Industry Association, the National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, and the National Pharmaceutical Alliance.

It is claimed that through the creation of the GPhA, 'the industry now speaks with a stronger, unified voice before federal and state governments, the courts, and the court of public opinion'.

The GPhA describes itself as representing 'the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceutical products, manufacturers and distributors of bulk active pharmaceutical chemicals, and suppliers of other goods and services to the generic pharmaceutical industry'.

GPhA claims that its 'members manufacture the vast majority of all affordable pharmaceuticals dispensed in the United States. Our products are used in nearly two billion prescriptions every year'. They add that the 'generic industry has grown dramatically, from $1 billion in annual revenues to $58.5 billion in the United States today. From a modest beginning, today nearly 67% of all prescriptions are filled with generic medicines. And the value remains -- roughly 20 cents of every dollar spent on prescriptions are spent on generic medicines'.

Lobbying

In 2008, the GPhA are reported to have paid Jennings Policy Strategies $180,000 to lobby Congress in the previous year. Jennings Policy then 'lobbied in favor of legislation to allow the Food and Drug Administration to approve generic copies of biotech drugs'.

People

Staff

In 2008, the GPhA report the following staff...

• Kathleen D Jaeger - President and CEO. Jaeger's biography describes how she 'has established a strong presence in the halls of Congress and in state capitols across the country'... 'has testified regularly before Congress on issues impacting the generic industry' and works 'closely with the Food and Drug Administration on regulatory issues'. Prior to joining GPhA, Jaeger was a Partner with Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP and as a Partner with McKenna & Cuneo L.L.P. Jaeger is also reported to have 'represented both U.S. and foreign corporations in a wide variety of pharmaceutical matters involving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and related governmental bodies', however further details are not disclosed.

• Gordon Johnston - Vice President of Regulatory Sciences. Johnston's biography describes how he previously served the U.S. Public Health Service, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and served as a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry (details not disclosed).

• Gary Heimberg - Vice President of Federal Affairs (since 2007). Heimberg's biography describes how he 'is responsible for leading the association’s federal lobbying efforts and coordinating the joint legislative activities of GPhA and its member companies'. Heimberg's previous involvements include serving Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (as senior counsel in the firm’s public law and policy practice), the U.S. Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources (from 1989 until 1992 as a professional staff member) and as a floor assistant for the Senate Democratic leadership (1987-1989).

• Lisa Layman - Associate Vice President for Government Affairs and Policy.
• Shawn Brown - Director of Policy.
• Cookie Cottrell - Executive Assistant to the President and CEO.
• Andrea Hofelich - Director of Media Relations.
• Rachelle Kosky - Director of Finance and Operations.
• Jennie May - Senior Events Coordinator.
• Jason Money - Director of Government Affairs.
• Katie Pahn - Event Coordinator.
• Jennifer Sunshine - Manager of Policy and Regulatory Affairs.
• Kathleen Wolff - Senior Director of Events.

Members

Whilst access to the details of GPhA members is a closed book for non members, the Houston Chronicle report Barr Pharmaceuticals and Mylan Inc. as member companies in 2008.