firm of Winston & Strawn
and a predecessor firm, Bishop, Cook,
Purcell & Reynolds. For 3 years prior to
joining Barr, Downey served as the company's
legal counsel.

Downey foresees continued progress
for the generic drug industry and hopes
to assist GPhA in accelerating that
progress in his capacity as chairman. He
said that he is proud to serve alongside
the other elected members of GPhA's
Executive Board: Heather Bresch, vice
chairman; Rosendo Ferran, senior consultant,
New Chemic Inc, who will
serve as secretary-treasurer; and
William Marth, president and CEO, Teva
Pharmaceuticals USA, and Michael
Collins, group president, Mallinckrodt Inc,
who will serve as at-large members.

Downey expressed an expectation
that GPhA can continue to accelerate
legislative interest in generic biopharmaceuticals.
He would like to see the
FDA implement in the near future an
abbreviated approval pathway for
generic biopharmaceuticals that utilizes
the existing provisions already provided
under the Hatch/Waxman Act.

He also voiced concern overthe
growth of so-called authorized generics.
He hopes to see the FDA honor "true
exclusivity"that is, "the first generic to
file during the 180-day period should be
honored as the authorized generic [for
that drug]," he said. GPhA hopes that
Congress will reevaluate the FDA's
interpretation of allowing authorized
generics and, in the intention of the provision
laid out in the Hatch/Waxman
Act, allow true generics the opportunity
to be the only generic product during
the exclusivity period, while providing
patients with lower-priced drugs.

Downey also sees the consolidation
of pharmaceutical companies as a benefit
to the industry in general. As struggling
companies are aided by their
stronger counterparts, both companies
become better and produce a higherquality
product. He says that "consolidation
serves a purpose to make companies
better," as they come together to
form "a stronger individual company."

Downey said that he is honored to
serve as GPhA's chairman. He looks forward
to working