Bayer HealthCare has announced that Erica Mann, the president of its global consumer care division, has been named as the new chair of an influential industry body.

The Bayer HealthCare executive committee member has been selected as chair-elect of the World Self-Medication Industry (WSMI) and will succeed Dihon Pharmaceutical chief executive Dr Zhenyu Guo in the role in June 2014.

“Bayer HealthCare's consumer care division president Erica Mann has been named as chair-elect of the World Self-Medication Industry.“

The WSMI is a non-governmental organisation with around 50 member associations, which represents manufacturers and distributors of non-prescription medicines and other self-care products on all continents. 

As its new chair, Ms Mann will help the federation to create an environment in which people will have more opportunities to manage their own health through the responsible use of safe and effective self-medication products.

She said: "Given today's evolving regulatory and commercial environments, there is a growing sense that our industry must strengthen its engagement in policy issues on a global level, taking a consumer-centric approach across countries and regions."

Earlier this month, it was announced that Bayer HealthCare has been included in the 2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, in recognition of its commitment to high standards of corporate citizenship.