The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has announced Scott Olsen will join the association as senior vice president for federal advocacy. A seasoned Democratic strategist, Olsen returns to PhRMA on October 3, 2016, to lead PhRMA’s federal government relations team.

Olsen is a recognized leader in federal government relations with over 20 years of experience working with Democrats and Republicans on Medicare and Medicaid policy. He began his career working in the office of then-Senator Max Baucus (D-MT). As the Senator’s top health policy aide, he supported the Senator’s healthcare work on the Senate Finance Committee. He previously spent several years at PhRMA as both the lead Democratic lobbyist and Senate team leader. During that time he worked closely on the passage of the Medicare Modernization Act in 2003.

“As PhRMA continues to tell the story of the life-changing work of America’s biopharmaceutical companies while advocating for patient access to new treatments, Scott’s experience finding common ground with Democrats and Republicans is a vital addition to the association,” said Stephen J. Ubl, president and CEO of PhRMA.

Olsen most recently spent nearly a decade with Amgen including as executive director of federal government affairs in Washington, D.C. Fluent in Japanese, Olsen was subsequently promoted to manage Amgen’s investment opportunities in Japan, China, Russia and the European Union.

“This is an exciting time in America’s biopharmaceutical industry as companies continue the tireless work of researching and developing new treatments and cures for patients,” Olsen said. “I am especially looking forward to helping PhRMA advance bipartisan solutions to our nation’s health care challenges.”