Spring Break
HBS Alumni Host Health Conference of the Year
Miriam Donaldson (OB), Contributing Writer
Issue date: 11/17/03 Section: News
Attendees experienced the excitement and tension of healthcare politics first hand during a lunchtime address by Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas Reilly. Mr. Reilly supports US citizens who choose to buy lower cost drugs from Canadian pharmacies. He defended this position as the only immediate solution for the many senior citizens who do not have prescription benefits through Medicare. Mr. Reilly then riled the crowd when he attacked pharmaceutical industry executives, many of whom were in the audience, as the root of the problem. He cited high drug prices, attempts to extend patent protection, and recent decisions to boycott Canadian pharmacies as evidence of the industry's abuses.
Alumnus Paul Stewart (MBA '87), Global Manager of Business Development for Eli Lilly, openly challenged the Attorney General to proactively suggest new solutions that would allow state and federal governments to work together to improve access to drugs rather than attack an industry who aims to provide innovative treatments for the ill.
Mr. Stewart's heartfelt response to Mr. Reilly's attack was met with applause from the audience, although the majority of attendees recognize that high drug costs to U.S. Citizens is a problem that will not go away and must be addressed.
Another highlight of the conference was the opportunity for alumni to take part in case discussions led by current HBS professors Robert Huckman and Nancy Beaulieu. It was interesting to attend these cases and see the alumni so easily adjust back into the HBS classroom.
The conference wound down on Saturday afternoon with an interactive thought leadership session. Each attendee was provided with a transponder that instantly recorded answers to multiple-choice opinion questions. The audience weighed in with its collective opinion on a variety of questions about the healthcare system and its future. The transponders provided immediate poll results projected onto the conference screen. It was fascinating to learn about the audience's opinions after a weekend of education on the issues in today's healthcare system.
As an EC student, it was wonderful to see the vibrant network that exists among HBS alums in healthcare. I look forward to attending this conference each year to keep my industry knowledge current and to develop the invaluable friendships and partnerships important in business.
Most importantly, this group seems poised to help promote HBS as a school that cares deeply about an industry that has the potential to change both the business world and the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.
Alumnus Paul Stewart (MBA '87), Global Manager of Business Development for Eli Lilly, openly challenged the Attorney General to proactively suggest new solutions that would allow state and federal governments to work together to improve access to drugs rather than attack an industry who aims to provide innovative treatments for the ill.
Mr. Stewart's heartfelt response to Mr. Reilly's attack was met with applause from the audience, although the majority of attendees recognize that high drug costs to U.S. Citizens is a problem that will not go away and must be addressed.
Another highlight of the conference was the opportunity for alumni to take part in case discussions led by current HBS professors Robert Huckman and Nancy Beaulieu. It was interesting to attend these cases and see the alumni so easily adjust back into the HBS classroom.
The conference wound down on Saturday afternoon with an interactive thought leadership session. Each attendee was provided with a transponder that instantly recorded answers to multiple-choice opinion questions. The audience weighed in with its collective opinion on a variety of questions about the healthcare system and its future. The transponders provided immediate poll results projected onto the conference screen. It was fascinating to learn about the audience's opinions after a weekend of education on the issues in today's healthcare system.
As an EC student, it was wonderful to see the vibrant network that exists among HBS alums in healthcare. I look forward to attending this conference each year to keep my industry knowledge current and to develop the invaluable friendships and partnerships important in business.
Most importantly, this group seems poised to help promote HBS as a school that cares deeply about an industry that has the potential to change both the business world and the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.
