GlaxoSmithKline vice chairman speaks to future work leaders

Brandon Hughes / Reporter

Robert Ingram, vice chairman of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, focused on the challenges the pharmaceutical industry will face to prove its value, as well as education about health care and ethics.

Ingram visited Elon on Oct. 19 as part of the Love School of Business Legends of Business program.

He participated in a panel discussion in Yeager Hall. Ingram acknowledged the pharmaceutical industry is facing a very challenging time, but is optimistic for the future because of what can be accomplished through science.

Ingram believes that with current scientific technology, the pharmaceutical industry has a tremendous opportunity to not only create new medicines but also to find cheaper ways to make existing drugs.

"We need to spend more money now so that, in the long run, we will save money and have an overall better quality of life," Ingram said.

Ingram also expressed that in today's society there are far too many overweight people, especially young children. He blamed this obesity on a lack of education about health foods and the importance of exercising.

Ingram announced that GSK will be taking money from its advertising campaigns and using that money on an obesity prevention and awareness campaign to help end the problem.

Ingram also spoke about the ethical integrity of the past by saying it was immoral and corrupt. He talked about how in the "old days" a meeting consisted of talking briefly about business and what would be in the best interest of the company.

Now, Ingram believes the focus of business meetings has shifted to talking about what would be not only best for the company but also for the customers.

Andrew Gillette, sophomore, thought Ingram was "informative, interesting and was a really good guy who had a global focus."

Ingram is the former Chairman/CEO of GlaxoWellcome and in 2000 co-led the merger of GlaxoWellcome and SmithKline- Beecham to form GSK, the world's second-largest pharmaceutical company.

Currently Ingram serves on the board of directors of Wachovia Corporation, Nortel Networks, Lowe's Companies, Allergan, Edwards Lifesciences Corporation and Valient Pharmaceuticals International.

He is also chairmen of the board of trustees of the American Cancer Society Foundation and OSI Pharmaceuticals.

Contact Brandon Hughes at pendulum@elon.edu or 278-7247.