The European Federation of the Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) has appointed Richard Bergström as its new Director General.

Bergström, who will take up the position on 1 April 2011, is currently Director General of LIF, the Swedish research-based pharmaceutical industry association.

He succeeds Brian Ager, who will join the European Round Table of Industrialists as Secretary General.

Andrew Witty, CEO of GlaxoSmithKline and President of EFPIA (pictured), said: “We are delighted that Richard will be EFPIA’s new Director General; his experience and approach are exactly what we need at this time. I am confident he will lead the continued transformation of EFPIA into a valued partner to all its stakeholders.”

Bergström is a pharmacist by training and has almost 20 years experience in the industry, working in senior positions in regulatory affairs for both Roche and Novartis in Switzerland before moving to LIF in 2002.

A member of the EFPIA Board for a number of years, he chairs its Trust Committee and its Task Force on Health Technology Assessment. He is also a Council member of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA). He has served on several Swedish government commissions and is currently Vice-Chairman of the board of the Karolinska Institutet.

Bergström said: “It is a great honour for me to accept this role at EFPIA. The research-based pharmaceutical industry can make a major contribution in progressing some of Europe’s most important objectives.

“I look forward to forging new partnerships to ensure that Europe’s patients benefit from the valuable innovation provided by our medicines and vaccines. We must work with others in delivering sustainable, equitable healthcare for all.”