01/05/20

[UPDATED] May 1, 2020 – Pfizer Canada takes seriously the presence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Canada. In this troubling time, Pfizer is committed to doing all we can to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are working to ensure continued access of our medicines and vaccines to patients across Canada. We are closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on our supply chain. As of now, we have not seen a disruption in our supply chain, and all of our plants in impacted areas around the world are operational.

In addition, we have identified several medicines used globally that are most relevant in today’s situation for hospitals and affected patients. We have implemented measures to protect our inventories and ensure supply continuity for the many essential medicines required by Canadian hospitals and patients. Our initial response included providing wholesalers with 1.5 times their normal inventory levels in order to ensure more rapid availability at the pharmacy level. As the pandemic progresses, we are executing specific risk plans for these medicines that include, but are not limited to, intensive monitoring of utilization and shifting production plans to support higher demand and safety stocks.

We have seen increased local demand for certain medicines and are working with healthcare organizations at all levels of government to mitigate anticipated supply constraints. As a response, working closely with Health Canada, Pfizer has received approval to import foreign labelled supply to partly respond to immediate incremental demand needs for certain medicines used in critical care associated with the management of COVID-19.

We have also asked Canadian pharmacies to carefully manage the inventory they have available to patients, and to use their professional judgement when dispensing medication. It is critical that all medications and vaccines are being dispensed to patients in an equitable way.

Despite these measures, we are expecting the demand for medicines, especially those used in critical care associated with the management of COVID-19, to increase exponentially in a way that will challenge all healthcare systems worldwide. Pfizer remains committed to working collaboratively with the healthcare system to reach an equitable outcome that will best serve all Canadians.

We thank our customers and stakeholders for their continued understanding and cooperation.

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For more information – Pfizer Canada Media Line: 1-866-9Pfizer (1-866-973-4937) or [email protected].