John Pinney
Founder and Chair
Bringing coherence to complexity by integrating proven principles in science, policy, and management
Expertise
In addition to charting the strategic direction of Pinney Associates, John empowers our clients with vital insights concerning:
- Public health policy
- Prescription and OTC drug development projects
- The pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare industries
Experience
John has been deeply engaged for more than 50 years in:
- Disease prevention and health promotion
- Substance abuse prevention and treatment
- Corporate consulting on integrating science, policy, and management principles
John’s career began in 1971 in the office of the U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), where he participated in policy initiatives affecting biomedical research, health services delivery, and drug regulation. In 1973, he joined the National Council on Alcoholism as head of the council’s Washington office. He returned to government in 1978 as Special Assistant to the Secretary of HEW and as the Director of the Office on Smoking and Health.
In 1983, John co-founded and served as Executive Director of Harvard University’s Institute for the Study of Smoking Behavior and Policy. John’s ensuing career as a consultant found him advising Fortune 500 companies and other businesses on employee disease prevention and health promotion.
Focusing on the pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare industries, he founded Pinney Associates in 1994. Today his command of policy, science, and regulation delivers proven value whenever our clients face complex regulatory and public health challenges.
In parallel with his Pinney Associates commitments, John co-founded and now chairs the Board for Harm Reduction Therapeutics, a nonprofit devoted to saving lives from opioid overdose by making low-cost naloxone available as an OTC product.
Education
BA, History, Yale University