Ron Salem is the senior general manager of PharMerica, a pharmaceutical supplier.
WHAT DOES HE DO?
For the last four years, Salem has done the hiring, budgeting, marketing and legislative lobbying for the company statewide.
WHAT CLIENTS DO THEY SERVE?
The company provides prescriptions to nursing homes, small hospitals and mental health facilities in Northeast Florida who do not have in-house pharmacies.
WHAT’S HIS LATEST ENDEAVOR?
Last month, Salem was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush to be the chairman of the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration’s new Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee.
WHAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE COMMITTEE?
“One and a half billion was spent on drugs for Medicaid patients in Florida last year. Two billion will be spent this year and $2.5 billion next year if nothing is done. The whole state budget is $50 billion. Costs are going up exponentially with the aging population, especially in Florida. Plus, as new and innovative drugs are released, the pharmaceutical companies releasing the drugs are trying to capture research and development costs.”
WHAT DOES THE COMMITTEE DO?
Comprised of five pharmacists, five doctors and one layperson, the committee has concocted a preferred drug list of medicines Medicaid will pay for without question. “If a drug is not on the PDL, the physician can contact AHCA to have the prescription approved.” Intended to streamline the process and not limit patients’ offerings, the prescription will be approved to be filled if the doctor can document its medical necessity.
SALEM’S BACKGROUND
Formerly the director of neighborhoods and community affairs for the City, Salem missed the pharmaceutical industry and took the position with PharMerica. He was at St. Vincent’s Consolidated Health Care before for 10 years, managing the pharmacy, home care, medical equipment and ambulance divisions for the hospital. Previous to his work at St. Vincent’s, Salem was the administrator of Shands Jacksonville’s hospital pharmacy for five years. He was also on the faculty of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Florida and subsequently at the University of Mississippi.
HOMETOWN
Jacksonville. He was born at St. Vincent’s.
EDUCATION
A bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Florida and a doctorate from the University of Mississippi.
WHY MAKE PHARMACY YOUR LIFE’S WORK?
“I always enjoyed science and math. In college it appeared to be a profession where I could enjoy the curriculum and make a reasonable living.”
WHAT’S CHALLENGING ABOUT IT?
“Keeping operations as profitable as I can and marketing to grow the business. It’s a challenge every day. Health care as an industry has changed more in the past five years than any other.”
SPECIAL INTERESTS
A staunch Republican, Salem has been involved in the GOP locally for 16 years. As a participant of their executive committee, he has set his goal on campaigning to have members of his party elected. Salem is also the chairman for the Sports and Entertainment Board for the City and part of the Citizens Oversight Committee for the Better Jacksonville Plan. Previously he was on the board of JCCI and the Arlington YMCA.
FAMILY
Marking 20 years of marriage, Salem and wife Nancy have three children: Anthony, Whitney and Andrew. They reside in Arlington.
DOWN TIME
An avid sports fan, particularly college football, Salem has been a season ticket holder of the Florida Gators for 25 years and for the Jaguars since their inception. Swinging a golf club or taking in an Atlanta Braves game are high on his list, too. When dining out, Salem likes Ragtime Tavern in Atlantic Beach. At home, he likes to read the Bible, tune in the television show “The West Wing” or watch the movie “Rocky.”
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
“Ronald Reagan. He changed the world. He was probably one of the most significant leaders of the last 20-30 years.”
—by Monica Chamness