A Principled Prescription

Brian Mitchell ’00EvMBA/MPH admits that the pharmaceutical industry is in the midst of one of its most dynamic periods yet. As associate director for strategic and business analysis for Solvay Pharmaceuticals, he oversees market research for the drug maker. Despite concerns over pharmaceutical and hospital costs and the proper marketing of drugs to consumers, Mitchell says he still believes in the role the healthcare industry can play in improving the lives of Americans. He adds, “There is a significant ethical responsibility in our industry. Luckily, drug makers are recognizing that change is needed on some fronts, and the industry has initiated improvements in such things as the self-imposed codes of conduct on advertising products to patients.”
It’s not surprising that Mitchell feels comfortable in the healthcare field, considering his father once served as the CFO of Baltimore’s Provident Hospital and as the CEO of Chicago’s Englewood Hospital. “I grew up surrounded by doctors and hospital administrators,” says Mitchell. “The environment has changed dramatically, of course. But growing up in healthcare makes you understand that the industry does something very tangible and positive.”

While Mitchell hails from Chicago, his family moved to Randallstown, Maryland for his high school years. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1993 from Atlanta’s Morehouse College, Mitchell opted to return to his hometown. “I worked as a pharmaceutical sales rep for Abbott Laboratories, and I was able to put my undergrad degree to good use. I also had to learn the science behind the drugs I was selling to hospitals and doctors, providing me with a unique skills set.”

In 1995, Mitchell welcomed a move back to Atlanta and took over the position of sales representative for Smith Kline Beecham (now known as GSK). Mitchell initially came to Solvay as manager of sales analysis in 2002, moving up the chain of command to his current position in June 2005. Today, Mitchell also handles the company’s contracting activities through Medicare and Medicaid, as well as Solvay’s new business development.

Mitchell came to Goizueta’s evening program in 1996, he says, to help his climb up the corporate ladder and to increase his business acumen. Two years later, he enrolled at Emory’s Rollins School. He credits Goizueta for giving him a strong ethical and global approach to business—an approach essential in today’s pharmaceutical industry. He adds, “Business school gave me the foundation, and the master’s of public health focused my education on my given field.”
—Myra A. Thomas