WASHINGTON, (FNN NEWS) — Today, the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) announced the addition of three new healthcare veterans to its governing board of directors, welcoming senior executives from Walgreens, Pfizer Inc. and AstraZeneca. In addition to their new responsibilities representing the interests of over 1,500 corporate and individual NASP members nationwide, Ed Kaleta serves as Walgreens Vice President of Federal Government Relations and U.S. Public Policy; Tolga Tanguler serves as Pfizer Inc.‘s Regional President of North America for Rare Disease; and Blaine Squires, RPh serves as AstraZeneca‘s Executive Director.

“The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy is excited to add leadership representation from three influential players in our industry: Walgreens, Pfizer and AstraZeneca,” said Sheila Arquette, Executive Director of NASP. “Ed Kaleta, Tolga Tanguler, and Blaine Squires are three experienced, accomplished and seasoned industry veterans, tasked with elevating the practice of specialty pharmacy, promoting the education and certification of pharmacists, and advocating for public policies that ensure patients have appropriate access to specialty medications on behalf of NASP’s multi-stakeholder membership. These three remarkable leaders will be instrumental in helping to ensure patients receive the high-quality, high-touch patient care and support services that are critical to optimally managing and living with complex, life-altering, and often life-threatening diseases. And what’s more, that these patients can seek the care they need from the specialty pharmacy of their choosing.”

“It’s an honor to serve on the board of an organization dedicated to helping our communities deal with the most devastating of diseases,” said Kaleta, Walgreens Vice President of Federal Government Relations & U.S. Public Policy. “I believe our pharmacies and pharmacists are the best at what they do, and are vital to the provision and sustainability of healthcare for America. We must ensure that lawmakers understand and recognize their value so that our patients receive the therapy and resources they need to be well.”

“I am honored to be elected to the board of the NASP,” said Tolga Tanguler, Regional President, North America, Pfizer Rare Disease. “I am certain it will provide new opportunities to partner with other industry leaders to raise the standards of patient engagement and ensure access to treatment options for rare disease patients who often do not have other alternatives.”

“Being part of the NASP team is a tangible way for me to connect my professional work to the broader impact of pharmacy across patient, industry and advocacy arenas,” said AstraZeneca Executive Director Blaine Squires, RPh.  “I will support the NASP efforts to continue this important work with positive and significant outcomes.”

SOURCE | National Association of Specialty Pharmacy