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Thomas Willemson promoted to China Area Head at GSK

pharmafile | November 22, 2016 | Appointment | Business Services, Manufacturing and Production, Medical Communications, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing  

GlaxoSmithKline appointed a new area head in Thomas Willemsen to take charge of its China drug business. He succeeds Herve Gisserot, who will move onto the role of head of pharmaceuticals for the Asia Pacific region. Gisserot has looked after recovery in the area after a Chinese government probe found GSK guilty of bribery. The scandal cost GSK a record £279 million fine.

Taking over the area will be no easy task for Mr Willemson but GSK has been engaging in a significant reshuffle since the scandal hit. It has reduced the size of its sale force and has cut prices of its products. Sales, in the last quarter, have risen by 4% – which about what would be expected in an emerging market. It is still a distinct contrast to last year where sales were down 18% as a result of the crisis.

Witty commented on China in a recent third-quarter earnings call, stating that: “fundamentally we’re back into growth. We’re seeing improvements across the refocused business.”

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