Pfizer’s non-profit pledge “too little too late” for millions who died without COVID vaccines and treatments

Responding to news that Pfizer will sell patented drugs at a “nonprofit” price to some countries, Julia Kosgei, Policy advisor to the People’s Vaccine Alliance, said:

“After prioritising selling higher priced doses to rich countries throughout the pandemic while millions died without access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, Albert Bourla seems keen to improve Pfizer’s reputation. But taking half-measures on equity won’t cut it.

“It’s right that some countries will not have to pay Pfizer’s rip-off prices for certain vaccines and treatments. But Pfizer is once again gate-keeping who can and can’t manufacture and access these lifesaving vaccines and medicines. Many lower-middle and middle income countries will continue to pay through the nose for lifesaving drugs they can’t afford. And this is all too little too late for the millions who died while Pfizer made record profits.

“We shouldn’t hail pandemic profiteers as heroes, even when they make qualified gestures like this. We are weeks away from an important vote on pharma intellectual property at the World Trade Organization. And Pfizer has calculated that this move will ease the heat generated by its appalling conduct over the last two years.”

/ Ends

Notes to editors

This comment is a reaction to an announcement from Pfizer at Davos: https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-launches-accord-healthier-world-improve-health

Media contact
Joe Karp-Sawey, Senior Media Advisor at The People’s Vaccine Alliance
[email protected]
+44 7428 985 985