Michael Bailey – Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA)

Michael Bailey’s career has long been driven by a singular goal: expanding access to health solutions for everyday people. As the former Head of Scientific Affairs for North America at Sanofi, and now as a key executive at the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), Bailey blends scientific rigor with strategic foresight to help transform how consumers take charge of their health. Before focusing on consumer healthcare, Bailey spent 15 years focused on Rx Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs.

Michael Bailey | Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) | Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Scientific Affairs

CHPA is the leading trade association for the U.S. consumer healthcare products industry, representing manufacturers and marketers of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, dietary supplements, and consumer medical devices. With a mission to empower self-care and preserve access to trusted products, the organization is a hub for advocacy, innovation, and public health advancement. Bailey joined CHPA in April 2024 and has quickly made his mark.

“As expected, when I started, I had to hit the ground running,” Bailey says. “Our members shape CHPA’s self-care agenda, and that means dealing with regulatory, medical, quality, and scientific issues to both defend existing products and support innovation.”

Since stepping into his new role, Bailey has been focused on scaling and adapting the organization he leads while collaborating with industry stakeholders and regulators, including the FDA, to ensure the successful reauthorization of critical user fees. “We’re also advancing initiatives that help our members bring new self-care solutions to consumers,” he adds with an emphasis on Rx-to-OTC Switch.

Scientific foundation meets business acumen

Bailey’s journey into healthcare wasn’t preordained. He grew up on a farm near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and developed an early interest in agricultural and animal sciences. That led him to West Virginia University, where he earned a degree in animal science. But his first job out of college as a research assistant at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, revealed a crucial truth.

“I realized rather quickly that the routine laboratory experimentation wasn’t for me long term,” Bailey recalls. “I wanted to find a way to apply my training to the business world.”

That spark led him back to school, this time to Johns Hopkins’ graduate business program. From there, he found his calling in Regulatory Affairs—a field that uniquely allowed him to combine science with business strategy.

His career has spanned decades and sectors, but his desire to make a tangible impact has been a constant thread.

“Through self-driven career moves, mergers, promotions and rightsizings, I’ve rarely been in the same job for long,” he admits. “That’s been one of my biggest challenges—finding the balance between leadership and developing subject-matter expertise.”

Bailey’s five-year tenure at Sanofi (now Opella) was an important chapter. He began by leading regulatory affairs in North America before expanding his scope to head the entire Scientific Affairs function, including medical, pharmacovigilance, quality and regulatory. But his continued passion for the Rx-to-OTC switch left the most profound impression.

“My proudest moments were working with a motivated team to create a strategy to advance various prescription drugs through the switch development process,” he says. “I left several promising products in the hands of new, competent leaders to hopefully see them through FDA approval one day.”

Strategic thinker, relational leader

Bailey’s effectiveness as a leader doesn’t come from being the loudest voice in the room. A self-described INTJ personality type, he leans into deep listening and data-driven decision-making.

“I prefer to get things done without conflict and let facts guide my actions,” he says. “I work hard to build trust and create a safe space for conversation—at work and beyond.”

While Bailey acknowledges that leading people hasn’t always come naturally, he’s grown into it over the years, especially as he’s come to value the power of autonomy.

“The majority of colleagues I’ve led over the years are very capable of getting things done and know when to ask for help,” he says. “My role is a lot about helping them achieve their personal development goals.”

He also thrives when given time to think creatively, calling that his most energizing mode of work.

“Brainstorming is where I think I’m at my best, especially in strategy sessions,” he says. But that strength comes with a tradeoff. “The execution and routine part of the job is where I struggle. Every year, I try to improve my focus in that area.”

As Bailey helps CHPA navigate a new era of consumer expectations, technology, and regulatory complexity, he’s also looking ahead. The association is currently piloting an organization-wide AI initiative to identify ways to work more efficiently and effectively.

“There’s more to come on that,” he says, keeping his cards close to the chest, “but we’re excited about the possibilities.”

Rooted in values, ready for the future

Despite his scientific acumen and polished resume, Bailey is grounded in humility and lifelong learning. He’s also proudly multidimensional—licensed in real estate, certified in cattle artificial insemination, and trained as an auctioneer. He’s an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, and the West Virginia Mountaineers. He loves sports, the outdoors, theater, travel, and his family.

He and his wife, whom he’s been married to for 35 years, have three adult children.

“I try to keep things light,” he says, “and enjoy getting to know people outside of work. That’s where trust is built.”

Trust is a recurring theme in Bailey’s professional journey—trust in data, colleagues, and the mission of empowering consumers to care for their health responsibly. Whether leading complex regulatory strategies or mentoring the next generation of scientific affairs professionals, Bailey continues to serve as a quiet but powerful force for progress in the consumer healthcare space.

And while the terrain may shift, he remains steady in his focus.

“After nearly 40 years,” he says, “I’m still at it and learning daily.” This is critically important for Bailey as he has very recently made a tough decision to leave CHPA in July of this year to spend more time with family. Let’s see what the next chapter of my professional career looks like; however, you can be sure I’ll be involved minimally as a consultant.