Former Allergan MD appointed to hospitals group board

Minister Reilly appoints former Allergan MD to board of new hospitals group


Ciara Galvin

WELL-known and long time Westport resident, Colam O’Neill, has been appointed to the new Board of the Hospital Group for the West/North West. The announcement was made last week, after the appointment was ratified by Minister for Health Dr James Reilly.
A native of Dublin, Colam moved to Mayo almost 40 years ago, to begin a career in the pharmaceutical industry in Travenol (Baxter Healthcare) in Castlebar, before moving to Westport in the late seventies when he was one of the first staff members appointed to a then little-known American corporation called Allergan Pharmaceuticals.
He was appointed Managing Director of Allergan Ireland and Vice-President of European Operations for the company in 1989, a position he held until his retirement in 2005.
A statement released by the HSE outlines that O’Neill has a BSc in Chemistry and Biology and that during his 28 years of continuous service, Allergan’s Irish operation grew from five employees to 1100 employees, while the plant continuously expanded. It adds that he also had responsibility for European operations including plants in Spain and France and ensured during his tenure that Westport became the location of choice within Allergan’s Global Network for new products in late stage research and development and production.
“Colam has major competencies in customer care, regulatory compliance and is stringent on cost models and budgetary control. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Allergan Ireland Ltd. Colam has a lot of experience in working with the Irish Medicine Board, the FDA and the European Regulatory Body, “the statement adds.
His appointment was one of three non-executives roles filled on the Board, which is now complete and has eight non-executive members, four executive members and a chairman.
Mr Noel Daly, Chairman of the Hospital Group, expressed his delighted in being able to welcome the three new members to the Board.
In May, Minister Reilly announced the composition of the new hospital groups, which he described as the most fundamental reform of the Irish acute hospital system in decades.
“We have been given three years to develop the future of the Hospital Group for the West/North West and have it ready to achieve Trust status. This huge challenge is the next step in becoming an independent body.  We are very fortunate to have commitment from people with so much experience to be part of our Board in these non-salaried roles.” said Mr Daly.