IPHA appoints Eimear O’Leary, PhD as Director of Communications and Advocacy

The Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Eimear O’Leary, PhD as Director of Communications and Advocacy.

Eimear previously held the role of Partnerships Manager at the IPHA and succeeds Bernard Mallee who has taken up a global role at Bristol Myers Squibb.

Over the past five years at the IPHA, Eimear has played a lead role in driving the Association’s award-winning communications initiatives and in developing programmes that raised its profile and grew its membership.

She co-delivered the multi-award winning Innovate for Life and Innovate for Vaccines campaigns. The renowned IPHA film series documented the positive impact of innovative medicines on patients’ lives, in science and in communities, achieving over 1.5 million views and 3 million impressions on social media channels.

Eimear led the reform and growth of the IPHA Affiliates Programme, engaging and energising members and affiliate companies through a successful programme of events.  She also spearheaded the launch of the ground-breaking digital Forum Series, providing IPHA audiences with deeper insights into issues affecting the industry and policy development.

She has worked closely with the members of the IPHA Communications and Advocacy Advisory Forum on policy proposals to reform the reimbursement process to deliver faster access to new medicines.

During her time at the IPHA she has worked on developing and promoting medicines.ie.

Eimear began her career in Leinster House where she provided policy, legislative and communications support to Government and Opposition T.D.’s over a fourteen-year period. She also worked in a communications and public affairs role at 360, Finn Partners. She has achieved a PhD and a Masters in Government from University College Cork and has also lectured at conferences and universities.

Oliver O’Connor, IPHA Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted to announce Eimear’s appointment as our new Director of Communications and Advocacy. Over the past five years working with the Association, Eimear has developed in-depth knowledge of our industry and the legislative drivers that shape it. Her expertise, insight and initiative are invaluable to us as we work to extend the success of our flagship communications and advocacy initiatives into the future and we wish her well in her new role”.

Eimear O’Leary, said: “Having enjoyed working with the Association and our member companies over the last five years, I am delighted to be taking up this role, at an exciting time for the industry. I look forward to continuing to tell the industry story in Ireland and working towards enabling faster access to life saving, innovative medicines for patients, who are at the heart of the work we do”.

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