Former Lilly USA President, Health Care Expert to Give Keynote at NASP Conference

Health care industry leader Alex Azar has been selected as the keynote speaker at this year’s National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) Annual Meeting and Educational Conference.

Azar is a pharmaceutical executive and the former president of Lilly USA, the largest affiliate of Eli Lilly and Company. He served as president for 5 years from 2012 to 2017, according to a press release.

“I’m honored to keynote NASP’s annual conference, and hope to inspire ongoing innovation and top-notch patient support form specialty pharmacy’s industry leaders,” Azar, chairman of Seraphim Strategies, said in the release. “Specialty pharmacies and pharmacists are the best when it comes to providing the groundbreaking drug therapies, resources, and white-glove services that sick Americans need and deserve to live their best lives.”

Azar served as deputy secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services. In his keynote speech, he will provide updates on all aspects of specialty pharmacy, including the market’s evolution, its impact on patients, and national legislative and regulatory policy.

“Millions of Americans suffer from some of the most devastating and complex diseases, depending on specialty pharmacists to deliver knowledgeable, skilled and caring services to help them manage their sickness,” Rebecca Shanahan, NASP president, said in the release. “This year’s conference features an all-star lineup, including healthcare veteran Alex Azar, to foster meaningful discussion and ideas around developments in the specialty pharmacy ecosystem.”

The fifth annual conference will be held from September 18-20, 2017, in Washington, DC. Attendees will have the opportunity to pick the brains of experts in the space and stay abreast of rapid developments in the specialty pharmacy landscape.

In conjunction with the meeting, NASP is also hosting its second annual Specialty Pharmacy Law Conference, which is held the day before the educational conference begins.

The 3-day conference also offers continuing education credits for both legal day attendees and NASP members. Additionally, a 1-day prep course will be offered to pharmacists studying for Certified Specialty Pharmacist certification, according to the release.

The “Women in Specialty Pharmacy” networking lunch—–founded by Suzette Di Mascio, president and CEO of the CSI Specialty Group––is being brought back by popular demand. Women can come join the conversation on experiences and best practices for navigating the workplace, promoting the education and certification of female pharmacists, and elevating female leaders in specialty pharmacy.