WASHINGTON — The National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC) announced on Tuesday the appointment of Dr. Robert Dubois, as its interim president and CEO. The NPC board of directors will conduct a national search for a permanent replacement for Dan Leonard, who stepped down as NPC’s president and CEO after more than 12 years of service.

Dr. Robert Dubois

“Dr. Dubois is a recognized champion of the value of medicines and exactly the right interim leader for NPC,” said Blasine Penkowski, chief strategic customer officer, Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, and NPC board chair. “At a moment when the need to speed innovation and expand patient access is especially critical, Bobby will build on NPC’s research, partnerships and education by continuing to ask the questions that advance the conversation.”

For the past 10 years, Dr. Dubois has served as NPC’s chief science officer and executive vice president. Under Dr. Dubois’ leadership, NPC’s research team has built a strong reputation and foundation for conducting policy research that is used by NPC’s member companies, partner organizations and health care decision-makers across the country.

“NPC’s research will continue to address tough policy questions through sound evidence. Improved evidence leads to more reliable treatment decisions, optimizes care delivery and patient outcomes, and improves health system efficiency,” said Dr. Dubois.

Dr. Dubois brings more than 25 years of experience in health care research, with a focus on understanding and ensuring that patients receive high value health care. Earlier in his career, he was the chief medical officer of Cerner Life Sciences, and he co-founded Protocare Sciences and was its executive vice president, chief medical officer, and later its CEO.

Dr. Dubois received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and his doctorate in healt