The Generic Pharmaceutical Association has filled a prescription for its top lobbyist: Melissa Schulman, a longtime lobbyist with the Bockorny Group and a former congressional aide to Democratic members, will serve as the group’s senior vice president of government affairs.

“Adding Melissa to our team will immeasurably strengthen our efforts to represent their interests in the halls of Congress and across the country,” President and CEO Ralph Neas said in a statement announcing the hire. “She brings a well-earned reputation for ensuring that her client’s voice is heard.”

Schulman spent nearly 15 years at the Bockorny Group and was the firm’s senior Democratic lobbyist. Her recent registered clients included CVS Caremark Inc., American Hospital Association, American Chemistry Council, Abbott Laboratories, News America Inc. and the American Beverage Association, according to Lobbying Disclosure Act reports.

“At a time when the budget is front and center in every legislative debate, the generics industry has proven it can be an invaluable partner to legislators to find practical solutions to the difficult problem of rising health care costs,” Schulman said in the statement. “I am looking forward to being part of that dialogue.”

On Capitol Hill, Schulman served as executive director of the Democratic caucus and policy director for Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., where she worked on such measures as the Americans with Disabilities Act. She also worked for then-Rep. Geraldine A. Ferraro, D-N.Y.