PhRMA president and CEO Steve Ubl to step down at end of the year

WASHINGTON — The board of directors of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) announced today that president and CEO Steve Ubl has notified the board of his intention to step down at the end of the year, concluding more than a decade of leadership. The board will commence a search for his successor, and Ubl will continue to serve as president and CEO until a new leader is appointed to support a seamless transition.

Since joining PhRMA in 2015, Ubl helped the industry successfully navigate a global pandemic, increasing global competition and a rapidly changing technological and political landscape. 

“On behalf of the board, I want to express our deep gratitude to Steve for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to PhRMA and the patients we serve,” said Merck CEO Rob Davis, Chair of the PhRMA board. “Steve has been an exceptional leader during one of the most consequential periods for our industry, and his commitment to ensuring a thoughtful transition will leave PhRMA stronger and well positioned for the future.”

During Ubl’s tenure – the longest of any PhRMA CEO – the association advanced solutions to lower costs and improve access for patients. Ubl spearheaded a multi-year campaign that broadened the conversation around the role of insurance companies and PBMs, which led to federal and state legislation and regulatory action to rein in PBM abuses. At the same time, he led efforts that increased awareness of the need to rein in the rapidly growing 340B program. He also strengthened and expanded partnerships with third-party organizations, including employers, pharmacists, patient groups and provider organizations. 

Under Ubl’s leadership, PhRMA fought to preserve a world-leading regulatory and intellectual property system that enabled companies to deliver hundreds of new medicines to patients over the past decade. He also led efforts to defeat numerous federal and state proposals that threatened the availability of new treatments and cures for patients.

Ubl also strengthened the organization to ensure it is well positioned for the future. Under his leadership, PhRMA implemented new membership criteria to clearly differentiate PhRMA’s innovative members from other market participants and added several new members, including two of the country’s largest biopharmaceutical companies, Gilead and Genentech. He also recruited and developed a best-in-class leadership team recognized for policy and advocacy excellence.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead PhRMA and serve an industry dedicated to discovering and delivering medicines that transform patients’ lives,” said Ubl. “I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished over the past ten years, and I look forward to continuing to support the industry and the patients it serves in the next phase of my career. In the meantime, I remain fully committed to advancing PhRMA’s priorities and supporting a strong, seamless transition in the months ahead.”