NH PDAB Selects Kirk Williamson as Inaugural Executive Director
Concord, NH –The New Hampshire Prescription Drug Affordability Board (NH PDAB) is proud to announce the selection of Mr. Kirk Williamson, MPH as its inaugural Executive Director. Mr. Williamson formally assumed the role on January 29, 2024.
Mr. Williamson comes to the NH PDAB with a decade of experience in health policy, including extensive experience in prescription drug pricing reform. Most recently, he served as the Health Care Manager of the Drug Pricing and Clinical Trials Transparency portfolio at Arnold Ventures (AV), which included the development and oversight of a multi-million dollar philanthropic investment portfolio with more than 90 active grants focused on addressing the key drivers of high prescription drug prices. During his tenure, Mr. Williamson played a central role in securing the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act’s drug pricing provisions, providing subject matter expertise on state-level prescription drug affordability initiatives, and engaging a wide-array of patients, advocates, and experts to advance evidence-based, bipartisan solutions to improve affordability and access of prescription drugs at the federal and state level.
Prior to joining AV, Mr. Williamson worked at the Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy providing strategic guidance to all 50 states to maximize the efficiency, equity, and speed of allocating novel vaccines and therapeutics to the American public, authoring several reports that served as toolkits for states to responsibly reopen and revitalize their economies. Additionally, Mr. Williamson served at the National Governors Association for several years providing technical assistance and strategic development of best practices to balance access and affordability of prescription drugs in state health insurance programs. Mr. Williamson earned his Masters of Public Health in Health Policy and Law from The George Washington University and his B.A. in Global Health with a minor in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“Kirk is a proven, results-oriented leader with invaluable subject matter expertise not only in prescription drug pricing, but in all facets of public policymaking that will help the Board achieve its mission. His wide-ranging experience and commitment to excellence demonstrates an unparalleled ability to tackle one of the most pressing problems facing the great people of New Hampshire,” said Representative Gary Merchant, Chair of the NH PDAB.
Mr. Williamson’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment. New Hampshire is one of the first cutting-edge states with the foresight and dedication to begin long-term planning that will safeguard patient lives, ensure fiscal sustainability both to the taxpayer and the system, and protect New Hampshire residents from choosing between affording their medications or putting food on the table. With a foundation in place, the Board is working in earnest to protect Granite Staters from escalating drug costs. This includes collecting necessary data, establishing partnerships with peer states and national experts, and engaging key stakeholders in the New Hampshire prescription drug market. This work will ultimately inform the development of recommendations and approaches to increase access and affordability of prescription drugs paid for with taxpayer dollars in the state of New Hampshire.
For more information on the NH PDAB, please visit https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/medicaid/new-hampshire-prescription-drug-affordability-board.
About the New Hampshire Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Enacted in July 2020, the General Court established the New Hampshire Prescription Drug Affordability Board (NH PDAB) to protect the people of New Hampshire from the high costs of prescription drugs. This was achieved with broad, bipartisan support from local leaders, engaged patients, and other stakeholder groups with the public interest in mind. The NH PDAB is an independent entity administratively attached to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services that will further the mission of the Department to provide opportunities for citizens to achieve health and independence.
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