National Pharmaceutical Council Welcomes EMD Serono to Its Membership

(Washington, DC, October 25, 2016)—The National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC) today welcomed EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in the U.S. and Canada, as its newest member.  Julie Locklear, PharmD, MBA, Vice President and Head, Health Economics and Outcomes Research and Medical, will serve as her company’s representative on the NPC Board of Directors.

“I am pleased to welcome EMD Serono and Dr. Julie Locklear to NPC,” said NPC President Dan Leonard. “EMD Serono has been at the forefront of leveraging real world evidence to improve patient care and Dr. Locklear brings a wealth of expertise in health economics and outcomes research, with over 20 years of experience within industry, that will be an invaluable resource in our efforts to further address issues such as the conduct and application of real-world evidence, outcomes-based agreements and the shift toward high-value, patient-centered care. We look forward to Dr. Locklear’s participation on our Board.”

EMD Serono offers therapies and patient support services for specialty-care conditions, like multiple sclerosis and infertility, and is working to develop medications for cancer. The company is committed to helping patients, their loved ones and health care professionals by accelerating innovation in difficult to treat diseases with unmet needs. 

“EMD Serono welcomes the opportunity to work with NPC and other member companies to advance the conversation on ensuring patient access to high-value care while improving patient outcomes,” said Dr. Locklear. “NPC’s research and activities are helping to drive the discussion around the rapidly changing U.S. health care system and how to continue to define value for medications for difficult to treat diseases and I am honored to have this opportunity to contribute in support of NPC’s efforts.”

About the National Pharmaceutical Council
The National Pharmaceutical Council is a health policy research organization dedicated to the advancement of good evidence and science, and to fostering an environment in the United States that supports medical innovation. Founded in 1953 and supported by the nation’s major research-based pharmaceutical companies, NPC focuses on research development, information dissemination, and education on the critical issues of evidence, innovation and the value of medicines for patients. For more information, visit www.npcnow.org and follow NPC on Twitter @npcnow.