Most people are unaware of this, but the healthcare industry is significant. In fact, according to the 2018 National Health Expenditure Report, the United States Healthcare 2016 spending in the sector has reached about $3.3 trillion or $10,348 per person.
Since there is a significant economic footprint in healthcare coupled with the increasing costs of employers, taxpayers, and individuals, it has grabbed the attention of those in the world’s most prominent and influential companies. Jeff Bezos – the CEO and Founder of Amazon – has stated, “Reducing healthcare’s burden on the economy while improving the outcomes of employees and their families is worth the effort.”
It is essential that healthcare needs leaders who can guide an industry towards technological innovations to business competition and give better care to demanding patients. These leaders also need to understand the unique requirements of the healthcare sector and the gravity of how healthcare can work towards impacting the lives of all people.
Now there have been many leaders who have been trying to make a name for themselves in the medical industry as one of the bests, but in reality, only a few have achieved such a feat. One such person includes Dr. Oscar Kashala – a revered physician, scientist, university professor, clinical researcher, and senior executive in the biopharmaceutical industry in the United States.
Dr. Kashala started his career as the Director of Medical Affairs and Tropical Diseases at Cambridge Biotech Corporation. His primary aim was to place the AIDS vaccine for Africans he had developed for HIV-positive people on the international agenda. In addition, at this time, he established the first laboratory HIV-1 vaccine development research ever with the assistance of the US government, the WHO, and other partners in their sector.
These studies were conducted based on the viral strains employed, which are common in Africa. His other investigations led to new formulations of vaccine adjuvants for many infectious diseases, including the successful development of the RTS, S/AS01, and malaria vaccines.
Later, Dr. Kashala joined Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and EMD Pharmaceuticals, both affiliates of the giant pharmaceutical company Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany – where he was appointed Medical Director of Clinical Oncology Research. During this time, he managed solid tumor portfolios, worked on several global clinical trials, and built a great network of key opinion leaders worldwide.
Moreover, Dr. Kashala has played a significant key role in affecting the public health policy discourse that has taken place in Africa for more than two decades. He has served in many leadership positions throughout his professional career within the global pharmaceutical industry. He has provided governments with policy guidance to address the public health challenges plaguing their societies.
Dr. Kashala has over 32 years of experience in clinical research, medical practice, and performing in the biopharmaceutical industry, academia, and hospital settings worldwide.
