LCDR Andrew Gentles, PharmD, BCPS AQ-ID
LCDR Andrew Gentles, PharmD, BCPS AQ-ID
Food and Drug Administration
LCDR Andrew Gentles is a United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Officer currently stationed at the Food and Drug Administration as a Regulatory Project Manager in the Division of Antiviral Products. In this current role, he provides regulatory guidance for an active research portfolio of drug products focused on the treatment and prevention of viral infectious disease such as HIV, Hepatitis and Influenza. In addition to this primary role, he is the Lead Medical Countermeasures Regulatory Project Manager within the FDA’s Medical Countermeasure (MCM) program. The MCM program is a national United States Government initiative which coordinates medical countermeasure development of products (biologics, drugs, devices) that may be used in the event of a public health emergency stemming from a terrorist attack with a biological, chemical, or radiological/nuclear material, a naturally occurring emerging disease, or a natural disaster. Within this program, LCDR Gentles manages a diverse portfolio of investigational drugs seeking indications to treat filoviruses (such as Ebola), Smallpox and many others.
LCDR Gentles holds a degree in Biological Sciences from Florida International University and graduated from the Howard University College of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy in 2008. With over 10 years of practice experience, he successfully completed an ASHP Pharmacy Practice Residency at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, GA and is a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist with emphasis in Infectious Disease. Seeking an opportunity to work in remote underserved communities, he subsequently served as the Deputy Chief Pharmacist on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona overseeing pharmacy operations for a 60-bed level IV trauma healthcare facility. As the Deputy Chief Pharmacist, he was instrumental in conducting surveillance research in infectious disease and developing a successful chronic disease management program in a patient-centered medical home model. He is the proud recipient of the following PHS Awards (Commendation Medal, Achievement Medal, Unit Commendation Medals (6), Isolated Hardship) as well as the Navajo Area Directors Award (Bureau level) for exceptional performance in managing a hospital department.
A resident of the District of Columbian and advocate for addressing population health issues, LCDR Gentles played a pivotal role in the passage of regulations for the Collaborative Care Expansion Amendment Act that was signed into law in 2012 by the Mayor of the District of Columbia and 112th Congress of the United States. This historic legislative victory in 2018 now advances the profession of pharmacy for over 2,000 licensed pharmacists and increases access to care for the 600, 000 residents in the District. LCDR Gentles also became the first PHS officer to serve as the President of the Washington DC Pharmacy Association (WDCPhA) from 2017-2018, a state pharmacy association which promotes, enhances and advocates on behalf of the pharmacy community. Upon completion of his term, LCDR Gentles was awarded the 2018 National Community Pharmacist Association (NCPA) Leadership Award in recognition of the success surrounding advocacy for underserved communities and impact on issues that will further advance the entire pharmacy community in the District of Columbia.