As a Pharmaceutical Sciences Trustee, Ilisa Bernstein will couple her broad professional experience in government service, the private sector, and the pharmacy association community with her knowledge of USP to further USP’s impact on medicine quality. As a member of the USP Council of the Convention, Ilisa served as Chair of the Healthcare Practice Sector, where she led impactful dialogs on practitioner priorities.
A leader in the pharmacy community, Ilisa has leveraged her professional experience to build coalitions to advance pharmacy practice and patient care. She has held senior roles at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), including as Senior Vice President of Pharmacy Practice and Government Affairs, and as interim CEO.
Ilisa’s career at the U.S. FDA included serving as Deputy Director of the Office of Compliance in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research where she shaped policy development and was a senior negotiator for the Drug Quality and Security Act, enhancing drug product quality and safety. She also served as FDA delegate and negotiator at international forums, including the Pharmaceutical Inspection and Cooperation Scheme and the World Health Organization’s Member State Mechanism on Substandard and Falsified Medical Products.
Career Highlights:
- Bernstein Rx Solutions, LLC: Founder and President
- American Pharmacists Association (APhA): Chief Executive Officer (interim); Senior Vice President
- U.S. FDA CDER Office of Compliance: Deputy Director & Acting Director
- FDA Office of the Commissioner: Senior Policy Advisor & Director of Pharmacy Affairs
Education:
- Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy
- Juris Doctor, American University - Washington College of Law
- Post-Doctoral Residency (pharmacokinetics), National Institutes of Health Board and Committee Experience
Awards, Recognition, Admissions:
- Executive Vice President, APhA, Board of Trustees
- Secretary, APhA Foundation, Board of Directors
- Member, USP Council of the Convention
- Chair, USP Healthcare Practice Sector
- Member, Pharmacy Quality Alliance, Board of Directors
- Member, Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies, Board of Directors
- Member, Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, Board of Governors
- Chair, Regulatory Implementation, World Health Organization, Substandard and Falsified Medical Products
- Co-Chair, Drugs Committee, Food and Drug Law Institute
- Member, American Society for Pharmacy Law, Board of Directors
Professional Achievements:
- First woman to serve as CEO of APhA in its 172-year history
- University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, 2023 Distinguished Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award
- 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy in 2023, Pharmacy Podcast Network
- Fellow, American Pharmacists Association
- 46 honor and recognition awards during 31-year FDA career
