Pfizer Inc.

Leading Practices

• The company's rapid expansion of research collaborations for Index Diseases is a leading practice in the sector. In 2008, Pfizer signed a license agreement with IPM for development of an HIV microbicide an agreement with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) to have Pfizer's chemical library screened for malaria treatments and an agreement with Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) to facilitate research efforts into sleeping sickness, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and chagas disease.
• The company has above-average engagement in single-drug donation programs through the International Trachoma Initiative (ITI) for trachoma and the Diflucan Partnership Program (DPP) for cryptococcal meningitis and esophageal candidiasis.
• In November 2009, Pfizer (along with GlaxoSmithKline) launched ViiV Healthcare, essentially pooling Pfizer's and GlaxoSmithKline's HIV/AIDs medicines portfolio; the new company is committed to a not-for-profit pricing strategy and non-exclusive voluntary licensing in sub-Saharan Africa to increase ATM. ViiV currently has seven HIV candidates in its pipeline, three of which were contributed by Pfizer.

Changes Compared to Index 2008

• Since the Access to Medicine Index 2008, the company has significantly expanded its research collaborations for Index Diseases.
• In April 2008, Pfizer restructured its ATM strategy to further prioritize this area through its Emerging Markets business unit; this was accomplished through extensive stakeholder outreach and feedback.
• In August 2009, Pfizer announced a partnership with the Clinton Foundation's HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI) to significantly reduce pricing for Rifabutin.
• During the period of analysis, Pfizer increased its level of engagement with the patent pool initiative of UNITAID for HIV medicines (through ViiV Healthcare). 

Suggested Areas for Improvement

• Pfizer does not have a tiered pricing strategy for its Index Disease-related medicines in the Index Countries; currently it has not implemented a pricing approach that addresses affordability.
• Pfizer does not issue non-exclusive voluntary licenses for Index Disease-related medicines Index Country.
• Pfizer does not outline clear future objectives and short-term targets for its ATM program.