Last updated: 6th April 2022
Pfizer stands with all who are suffering as a result of the conflict in Ukraine.
We are committed to ensuring the safety of our colleagues and their families and facilitating continued access to our medicines for patients. While we are closely monitoring the situation, we are also taking action:
The Pfizer Foundation
Through The Pfizer Foundation*, we have provided $2 million USD in humanitarian grant funding to three organisations working in the Ukraine and neighbouring countries:
- American Red Cross to support emergency teams now in Ukraine and working to repair vital infrastructure, support health facilities with medicines and equipment, and support families with food and hygiene items. Funds donated through American Red Cross will support the Ukrainian Red Cross response as well as regional Red Cross efforts in surrounding countries to support immediate needs of affected populations
- International Medical Corps to support essential emergency and primary health services, as well as mental health and psychosocial support services, and protection and gender-based violence services, which are critical for conflict-affected communities. COVID-19 awareness and prevention services will be incorporated to help keep displaced people safe from the pandemic.
- International Rescue Committee to support their efforts in bordering countries to mobilise resources and connect with partners to establish a response that will provide life-saving support to civilians forced to flee their homes.
- The UN Refugee Agency to support emergency relief priorities in Ukraine and immediate needs of displaced populations in surrounding countries now hosting Ukraine refugees. UNHCR is the leading UN agency coordinating all inter-agency regional efforts across UN agencies, NGOs and other relevant partners to maximize and effectively coordinate refugee response efforts.
Ukraine Humanitarian Disaster Campaign
Additionally, we have launched the 'Ukraine Humanitarian Disaster Campaign' to provide all Pfizer colleagues the opportunity to donate to key organisations. The Pfizer Foundation will be proudly matching donations made through the campaign to UNICEF, Save the Children International, International Rescue Committee, the American Red Cross, CARE, Nova Ukraine, and Sunflower of Peace.
- As of March 11, 2022, thousands of colleagues from around the world have donated nearly US $621,000
- Including The Pfizer Foundation’s dollar-for-dollar match, the total donation is approaching US $1.25million
Medicine Donations
Through our partnership with International Health Partners (IHP) we have donated medicines which will go to refugees coming from the Ukraine into surrounding countries (Moldova and Poland). Pfizer is also donating essential medicines through Direct Relief to support patients in Ukraine and bordering countries.
Company Position in Russia
The international community has implemented unprecedented sanctions to Russia however, for humanitarian reasons, medicines were excluded from these sanctions. Pfizer concluded that a voluntary pause in the flow of our medicines to Russia, including cancer or cardiovascular therapies, would cause significant patient suffering and potential loss of life, particularly among children and elderly people.
However, maintaining the supply of medicines to Russia does not mean we will continue doing business as usual in Russia. In March, Pfizer announced that it will donate all profits of its Russian subsidiary to causes that provide direct humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine. This is in addition to the humanitarian donations listed above.
Additionally, we will no longer initiate new clinical trials in Russia, and we will stop recruiting new patients in our ongoing clinical trials in the country. Pfizer will work with the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and other regulators to transition all ongoing clinical trials to alternative sites outside Russia. Consistent with our commitment to putting patients first, we will continue providing needed medicines to the patients already enrolled in clinical trials.
Finally, while Pfizer doesn’t own or operate any manufacturing sites in Russia, we will cease all planned investments with local suppliers intended to build manufacturing capacity in the country.
These decisions align with our patient-first values and ensure that every dollar of profit derived from Russia will strengthen Ukraine and its people as they continue to valiantly defend their nation and freedom from this unprovoked and unjustified attack.
We join with the international community in expressing sincere hope for a swift resolution. The path towards equity must include peace.
*The Pfizer Foundation is a charitable organisation established by Pfizer Inc. It is a separate legal entity from Pfizer Inc. with distinct legal restrictions.
PP-UNP-GBR-0524 / April 2022
