Pfizer renews commitment for more impactful breakthroughs

Pfizer has recommitted to sustained breakthroughs that impact lives positively around the world, just as it recognised influence of patients on every facet of its work.

The Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Pfizer, Sally Susman, who spoke on the organisation’s yearly global commitment to patients, tagged: “Patients in Focus”, noted that the assurance remains year-round and central to the work it does.

He said this year’s theme: “With Patients. For Patients”, signifies a renewal of Pfizer’s ongoing commitment to serving patients.

Susman said the company is made up of many local markets and differing functions, with the central goal of developing products that change patients’ lives globally.

He said in West Africa, they are demonstrating a commitment to patients through an interactive panel discussion with the Country Manager and patient advocates in oncology, rare diseases and immunisation to discuss ‘Promoting Health Equity As a Patient Advocate’.

The Country Manager, Pfizer West Africa, Olayinka Subair, said the #PatientsInFocus is helping the company to learn from patient advocacy partners to understand how they can better incorporate patient voices into their work every day.

He stressed the pharmaceutical firm could not realise its purpose without the pivotal role played by patients, caregivers and advocates.

Subair said Pfizer would be able to develop more innovative medicines and breakthroughs when it engages with patients and patient advocacy groups to understand their needs.

Vice President of Global Access Financing, Michelle Akande, said the event afforded them the platform to highlight examples of successful patient engagement, partnerships and learn from them.

She said this is demonstrating not only how Pfizer has made a difference in patients’ lives, but also how patient groups provide insights that “guide our work.”

Executive Director at Rare Disease Ghana Initiative, Samuel Agyei Wiafe, stated that his organisation, in collaboration with Pfizer, has been able to address gaps in the management of rare diseases from increased knowledge and awareness to early diagnosis and prevention, best-to-best practice treatment and care, community engagement and access to best treatments and comprehensive research.

Medical Director of Leah Foundation, Dr. Gregory Oyinloye, said the collaboration with Pfizer enabled them to close the care gap with cancer treatment as they can offer consultation and assessment, counseling, awareness and sensitisation campaigns through road walks and radio jingles in North Central.

Programmes Lead, Vaccine Network for Disease Control, Chika Nwankwo, observed that the organisation and Pfizer have a long-standing relationship of collaborating to address pertinent issues regarding sensitising communities through edutainment.