Retirement of Medicines Australia chairman Will Delaat
Medicines Australia chairman Will Delaat announced today that he will retire from the position in February 2012.
Mr Delaat has served on the board of Medicines Australia since 1998 and has been chairman since 2008. He was previously chairman between 2003 and 2005.
Mr Delaat said: “I leave at a time when the industry is well placed to capitalise on key opportunities. PBS expenditure growth is extremely low, export earnings are high and meaningful progress is being made to build on our clinical trial investment.
“We have a very solid base upon which to build for the future.
“It has been a genuine privilege to serve this great industry as chairman of Medicines Australia and an honour to work alongside such an inspired Board.”
Medicines Australia chief executive Dr Brendan Shaw said Mr Delaat had been a passionate advocate for the Australian medicines industry for many years and had played a central role in driving improvements to the policy environment for the industry.
“Will has made a colossal contribution to Medicines Australia and Australia’s medicines industry,” Dr Shaw said.
“He has been a champion of National Medicines Policy over a long and successful career.
“He led the industry through major reforms of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, including the negotiation of the historic Memorandum of Understanding between Medicines Australia and the Australian Government that have resulted in a sustainable, well-managed PBS with low expenditure growth.
“Will has also been instrumental in driving key industry policy change and securing a viable investment environment for the medicines industry in Australia.
“Will has been a great leader, an inspiring mentor and a good friend. We wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Mr Delaat will remain on the boards of Pharmaxis, EnGeneIC Ltd and the Fragile X Association of Australia.
Medicines Australia expects to announce Mr Delaat’s successor in early 2012.
-ENDS-
Contact Person:
Jamie Nicholson
Media Communications Manager
Phone: 0419 220 293
Email: Jamie.Nicholson@medicinesaustralia.com.au