Pharmaceutical

Retiring U.S. Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-LA, will become president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America in Washington DC when he leaves the Congress at the end of the year. The 61-year old Tauzin served for several years as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee before stepping down early this year because of intestinal cancer. He announced at the time he would not seek reelection after serving 13 terms in the House. He has credited the advanced, expert medical treatment and surgery he received at Johns Hopkins with saving his life. His son, Billy Tauzin III, lost a runoff earlier this month to Democrat Charlie Melancon to succeed to the elder Tauzin’s the 3rd Congressional District seat.