Andrew Witty, GlaxoSmithKline

Wednesday 27th May 2009

GlaxoSmithKline have been pioneers of the pharmaceutical industry for more than twenty years now. What kind of person carries a beast like this?

Andrew Witty, the CEO of GlaxoSmithKline, began his work with GSK in 1985, and after building his career within the UK region, his position led him further, fulfilling senior roles on a global scale. When Jean-Pierre Garnier retired in May 2008, Witty filled his role, becoming CEO of the company.

Ostensibly acting as a catalyst for positive social change under Witty’s reign, GlaxoSmithKline, in February 2009, declared it was seeking to reduce the prices of its drugs in African countries to combat diseases which remain untreated. Within the current economic climate, and with world leaders often urged to reduce pharmaceutical prices, it is a brave and pioneering move which sees GSK appearing to place an emphasis on ethical and social outcomes rather than solely commercial gains.

Witty has often been vocal on subjects such as the sale of counterfeit drugs in South-East Asia, telling The Times that counterfeiting remains to be only a civil offence, where “people get a $10,000 fine and go to work the next day”. The sale of counterfeit drugs may be dangerous in terms of consumption. Obvious health risks are associated with unknown products, which can be included in constitution of the counterfeit drugs. In addition, it can be suggested that sales of counterfeit drugs can act as a source of finance for other illegal activity, including organised crime.

GlaxoSmithKline was formed in 2000, after the merger of GlaxoWellcome and SmithKline Beecham, but in fact the company possess a long and rich history, starting with the establishment of Plough Court Pharmacy in Lombard Street, London, in 1715 by Silvanus Bevan.

In contemporary times, GSK is known as the second-largest pharmaceutical company in the world, and is based in the UK, with its headquarters based in Brentford, West London. The company has been credited with making a pledge to provide three key drugs for the treatment of HIV and AIDS to developing countries at a reduced price, and it is apparent that the work of GlaxoSmithKline in this area is in constant progression.

Witty appears to have developed solid experience in the geographical areas of South and East Africa, in which GSK is now seeking to offer cheaper medicines, as well as in South Asia, where he urges leaders for stricter punishment on drug counterfeiters. He has acted as Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, leading the Group’s operations in Asia, and in the past has been appointed as Area Director for GlaxoWellcome, South and East Asia. In 2003, Witty was presented with the Public Service Medal, an honour bestowed by the Singapore Government.

A member of many boards, including the Imperial College Commercialisation Advisory Board, as well as being a member of the Health Innovation Council, Witty is also a noted marathon runner, completing the Flora London Marathon in 2008. He graduated with a Joint Honours BA in Economics from the University of Nottingham, where other famous alumni include the writer, DH Lawrence, and Tim Martin, the founder and chairman of the British pub chain, JD Wetherspoon.

Andrew Witty CV

Born: Holderness, 1964.

Education: Malbank School, Nantwich, University of Nottingham.

Children: 2.

Career: Joined GSK in 1985, became CEO in 2008.

Trivia: Witty recently ran the London Marathon.

Notable Quote: “We have the capacity to do more, and we can do more. The question is can we, big pharma, rise to the challenge and be a genuine catalyst for change?”

GSK in Numbers

£24,352m – GSK’s revenue in 2008.

2000 – The year in which GSK was founded through a merger of GlaxoWellcome and SmithKline Beecham.

103,000 – The amount of employees GSK employed in 2008.

70 – The number of countries GSK operates in.

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