HRA pharma has announced the resignation of David Wright who moves on after serving the company for more than five years as chief executive officer.
The company has appointed Martyn Hilton, chief commercial officer for HRA Pharma, as interim CEO effective from September 1, 2022.
David helmed the company during a period of transformation and set the course for its tremendous growth, elevating HRA Pharma into a leading provider of
over-the-counter self-care products.
He commented: "Given the significant progress HRA has made, along with my personal goals after leading HRA for more than five years, I believe now is the time to
step away from the business.
"I am proud of all that we have accomplished, making HRA well-known for its Women's Health, Wound Care and Scar Care leadership, operating via brands including
ellaOne, Hana, Compeed and Mederma. I appreciate all the team members involved in the success of the organization and believe Perrigo and HRA are well-positioned
to elevate this business and these brands to the next level."
HRA Pharma is celebrating the 1st anniversary of Hana, the first type of daily oral contraception available in the UK without a prescription.
The launch of Hana in 2021 followed the historic decision of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to grant a marketing authorisation
and marked a significant step forward in the women's contraception category.
The company reports that pharmacists have embraced the reclassification and have found merit in using emergency contraception consultations as an opportunity to
educate women on their over-the-counter contraception options.
Alison Slingsby, innovations project manager at HRA Pharma, commented: "We have been delighted with Hana's reception - within weeks of launch, it quickly became
the best-selling mini-pill without prescription, with more than 95 per cent market share, and has maintained this market leading position ever since. We previously
had the experience of switching emergency contraceptive ellaOne to a P medicine, Hana is on track to match and eventually exceed the ellaOne volumes.
HRA Pharma's progestogen-only contraceptive pill, Hana, has won the 'Special Achievement Award' at the Nicolas Hall awards.
The awards took place on May 5, 2022 in Athens. HRA's Marketing Director for the UK, Ireland and the Nordics, Kate Evans, was in attendance to represent the Hana
team and accept the award.
The Hana pill became available in July 2021 for women in the UK to purchase without a prescription following a pharmacy consultation.
The launch has made it easier for women to access effective daily contraception. This reclassification made HRA Pharma one of the leaders in this new healthcare category. The switch followed the authorisation of reclassification of desogestrel by UK regulator MHRA. Hana was one of the first products to enter this new market.