Pfizer lowers drug prices for some of world’s poorest nations
Pfizer mentioned Wednesday that it’s going to present practically two dozen merchandise, together with its top-selling COVID-19 vaccine and remedy, at not-for-profit prices in some of the world’s poorest nations.
The drugmaker introduced this system on the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland, and mentioned it was aimed toward bettering well being fairness in 45 lower-income nations. Most of the nations are in Africa, however the record additionally consists of Haiti, Syria, Cambodia and North Korea.
The merchandise, that are broadly accessible within the U.S. and the European Union, embody 23 medicines and vaccines that deal with infectious illnesses, some cancers and uncommon and inflammatory circumstances. Company spokeswoman Pam Eisele mentioned solely a small quantity of the medicines and vaccines are at present accessible within the 45 nations.
New York-based Pfizer will cost solely manufacturing prices and “minimal” distribution bills, Eisele mentioned. It will adjust to any sanctions and all different relevant legal guidelines.
The drugmaker additionally plans to supply assist with public training, coaching for well being care suppliers and drug provide administration.
“What we discovered through the pandemic was that supply was not enough to resolve the issues that these countries are having,” Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla mentioned Wednesday throughout a chat at Davos.
He famous that billions of doses of the company’s COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty, have been provided for free to low-income nations, primarily by the U.S. authorities, however these doses cannot be used proper now.
Earlier this month, the pinnacle of the World Health Organization known as on Pfizer to make its COVID-19 remedy extra broadly accessible in poorer nations.
Comirnaty introduced in practically $37 billion in gross sales final year, and analysts count on the company’s COVID-19 remedy Paxlovid so as to add virtually $24 billion this year, in accordance with the info agency FactSet.
