Former UNC System President Tom Ross, who was controversially forced to leave his position and replaced with former secretary of education for the Bush administration Margaret Spellings, will soon be on the board of Canadian drug company, Valeant Pharmaceuticals. 

“While Valeant has great opportunity before it, it still faces significant headwinds,” Ross said in a statement. 

Valeant has come under intense scrutiny due to its strategy of acquiring and raising the price of drugs. The company is looking to use Ross for his wealth of public policy knowledge. 

The company is also searching for a new chief executive officer. The current CEO, J. Michael Pearson, is facing medical issues and will serve until a replacement is found. 

Fred Eshelman, founder of the Wilmington-based company Pharmaceutical Product Development, and Ross will be the independent directors of its 14-member board, which has been expanded from 12 seats. Valeant hopes that Eshelman’s expertise in the pharmaceutical industry will strengthen its corporate practices. 

“We are pleased that these three experienced and capable leaders have agreed to join our Board,” said Robert A. Ingram in a Valeant press release, according to The News & Observer. “As Valeant grows, it is essential that our directors have the appropriate mix of skills and experience necessary to support management.”

The company is under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. A Raleigh-based company, Salix Pharmaceuticals, which was recently acquired by Valeant, is also under investigation. Valeant acquired two new pharmaceutical companies last year, one of which produced Addyi, the first drug approved by the FDA to boost women’s sex drive. 

Tom Ross is eager to work with the company.  

“I look forward to working with the board and management, addressing open issues and restoring investor and public confidence in Valeant,” Ross said to the Daily Tar Heel.