Former S-P chief Fred Hassan joins Bausch & Lomb board of directors

In what could likely be a string of new non-executive appointments, leading pharmaceutical industry player Fred Hassan has joined the board of directors of US global eye health company Bausch & Lomb.

Mr Hassan was chairman and chief executive of Schering-Plough from 2003 until
the completion of its acquisition by Merck & Co on November 3. Before joining Schering-Plough, he served as CEO (from 2000 to 2001) and as chairman and CEO (from 2001 to 2003) of Pharmacia Corp until the company was acquired by global drugs giant Pfizer in 2003. From 1997 to 2000, Mr Hassan was CEO of Pharmacia & Upjohn, which merged with Monsanto Company in 2000 to become Pharmacia Corp. From 1972 to 1997, he served in various senior management roles at major pharmaceutical companies.

"Bausch & Lomb and its customers will benefit from Fred Hassan's extensive global business experience and his in-depth knowledge of the healthcare industry," said Gerald Ostrov, chairman and CEO of Bausch & Lomb. "We will especially value Fred's insights as we develop and market innovative pharmaceutical products for the global eye health industry."

Mr Hassan is also the past chairman of the board of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and is the past chairman of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey. He is also the immediate past president of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations. In addition, he is a member of the board of Time Warner and the lead director on the board of Avon Products. He holds a bachelor's of science degree from the Imperial College of Science and Technology at the University of London and an MBA degree from Harvard Business School.