Gpha Names Chris Bowlin as Senior Vice President Government Affairs

Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC — The Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) today announced the appointment of Chris Bowlin as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.

“Chris Bowlin will be joining GPhA at a time of unprecedented opportunities and challenges for the generic drug industry,” said Chip Davis, President and CEO, GPhA. “Chris has been at the forefront of many of the most critical health care debates over the last two decades and will be a strong addition to the GPhA leadership team. He brings strong relationships and deep experience at all levels of government, and will be a tremendous asset to the association and our members as we continue to advocate for policies and programs that save patients and the U.S. health system billions of dollars, promote pharmaceutical competition and expand access to more affordable generic medicines.”

Over 25 years Bowlin has held leadership roles in the executive branch, Congress and private sector, and brings extensive trade association, corporate, policy and political management experience. Most recently Bowlin served as Senior Vice President for Capitol Hill Consulting Group and as Principal for Brown Rudnick’s Federal Government Law and Strategies group.

At the Congressional level, Bowlin previously served as chief health policy adviser to U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) and on the House Education and Workforce Committee for former Speaker of the House and Committee Chair John Boehner (R-Ohio). Within the executive branch, Bowlin was appointed as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) advising Secretary Michael Leavitt on Medicare, Medicaid and FDA issues. Bowlin also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor. Bowlin has served in key government relations roles with health associations including the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).

“I’m very excited to work on behalf of generic drug manufacturers and others who share a mission to improve the lives of patients and families across the country while simultaneously saving the U.S. healthcare system hundreds of billions of dollars per year,” said Bowlin. "As somebody with family members that cope with chronic diseases I know firsthand the value of generic drugs. This role presents a unique opportunity for me, both personally and professionally, to find innovative policy solutions that will positively impact patient health in fiscally responsible ways. I look forward to working with the team to ensure that patients and providers have access to safe, effective and affordable generic and biosimilar medicines in an expeditious manner.”

About GPhA

GPhA represents the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceuticals, manufacturers and distributors of bulk pharmaceutical chemicals, and suppliers of other goods and services to the generic industry. Generic pharmaceuticals fill 88 percent of the prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. but consume just 28 percent of the total drug spending. Additional information is available at gphaonline.org. Follow us on twitter: @gpha.