Josephine Martin Joins PhRMA as Exec VP of Public Affairs

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) today announced that Josephine Martin has been named Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, effective March 1, 2011. Martin will report directly to PhRMA President and CEO John J. Castellani.

In her new role, Martin will be responsible for leading and managing PhRMA's communications and alliance development functions. She comes to PhRMA from Ketchum, where she served as Senior Vice President, Public Affairs.

"We are thrilled to have Josie join our team at PhRMA. She brings extensive and successful experience in DC public affairs – with a particular strength in health policy communications," Castellani said. "We all look forward to working with her in the years ahead to best position the biopharmaceutical sector during a critical juncture of challenge and opportunity."

"There are few if any American industries that positively impact people's lives in so many ways – from improving health and productivity to providing good jobs to strengthening local and national economies – as the biopharmaceutical sector," Martin said. "I am excited to join such an energized, impactful organization as PhRMA, and I relish the chance to bring my experience to bear as we work to best convey the tremendous value of this innovative sector."

Prior to building a health care practice and team at Ketchum, Martin served in leading public affairs positions at Golin Harris and National Media, Inc.  Earlier in her career, she gained in-depth health policy communications experience as Senior Vice President, Public Affairs for the Federation of American Hospitals, and Vice President of Communications at the American Red Cross.

Martin began her career on Capitol Hill, serving as communications director and press secretary for the Senate Finance Committee and Senator John Chafee.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country's leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. PhRMA companies are leading the way in the search for new cures. PhRMA members alone invested an estimated $45.8 billion in 2009 in discovering and developing new medicines. Industry-wide research and investment reached a record $65.3 billion in 2009.

PhRMA Internet Address: http://www.phrma.org

For information on how innovative medicines save lives, visit: http://www.innovation.org

For information on the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, visit: http://www.pparx.org

For more information on public health emergencies, visit http://www.rxresponse.org

For information on the danger of imported drugs, visit: http://www.buysafedrugs.info

SOURCE Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America