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UPDATE – Pfizer Canada Responds to COVID-19

18/12/20

KIRKLAND, QC, [UPDATED] December 18, 2020 – Pfizer Canada shares the public concern in relation to the current situation, which continues to evolve. Pfizer has outlined a five-point plan calling on the biopharmaceutical industry to collaborate to combat COVID-19. The plan is intended to help scientists bring forward therapies and vaccines to help protect humankind from the pandemic and prepare the industry to respond to future global health crises. As part of that plan, Pfizer and BioNTech are currently carrying out a Phase 2b/3 clinical trial for BioNTech’s mRNA-based vaccine BNT162b2, which is being developed to help prevent COVID-19 infection. The trial is operating in more than 120 sites around the world and will enroll 44,000 individuals including those as young as the age of 12-years-old. More information about the clinical trial program can be found here: https://www.pfizer.com/science/coronavirus/vaccine.

On August 5, 2020, Pfizer and BioNTech announced an agreement with the Canadian government to supply their BNT162 mRNA-based vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2, subject to clinical success and regulatory approval, over the course of 2021.

To that end, on October 9, 2020, Pfizer Canada and BioNTech SE announced the initiation of a rolling submission under Health Canada’s Interim Order pathway for BNT162b2, the lead candidate from the companies’ vaccine development program against COVID-19.

On December 9, 2020, Pfizer Canada and BioNTech announced that Health Canada has granted Authorization under Interim Order for the emergency use of their COVID-19 vaccine. The first doses of the vaccine were administered in Canada on December 14, 2020.

To consult the information and resources site on COVID-19 developed by Pfizer Inc., please click here.

In 2020, alongside leading biopharmaceutical companies who are also conducting vaccine research and development, we’ve announced a historic pledge that outlines a united commitment to uphold the integrity of the scientific process as we work towards developing vaccines for COVID-19 that put patient safety and public health as top priorities.

Additionally, we are committed to doing all we can to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and have taken proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of our colleagues and our community, maintain supply of our medicines to patients and help halt the spread of this disease.

COLLEAGUES SAFETY A PRIORITY
  • On March 13, Pfizer instructed all head-office and field colleagues, contractors and non-essential onsite third-party vendors to work from home to ensure their safety and minimize spread of virus within our community.

  • Colleagues continue to be eligible to full pay and benefits.

  • Pfizer has launched a virtual fitness program to allow colleagues and their families to stay healthy and to adapt to the new reality of working remotely.

  • Pfizer Canada has provided colleagues with access to a virtual healthcare provider for instant 24/7 access to doctors for them and their families.

  • Resources for immediate and confidential support have also been made available via our Employee and Family Assistance Program.

  • Pfizer Canada is one of the twenty-five organizations which have joined as partners in support of WellCan™, a free collection of digital resources to support the mental health of all Canadians during COVID-19.

AVAILABILITY OF OUR MEDICINES
  • As a healthcare organization, we are working diligently to ensure business continuity and availability of our medicines to the Canadian healthcare system and to patients. Pfizer publishes a weekly product availability report for customers within the Canadian hospital and wholesale pharmacy distribution network.

  • Pfizer identified 74 medicines used globally that are most relevant in today’s situation for hospitals and affected patients (47 in the anti-infective space and 27 that are core to institutions providing supportive and critical care).  We are developing specific risk plans for these medicines that include but are not limited to intensive monitoring of demand and shifting production plans to support higher demand and safety stocks.

  • Pfizer has been in contact with several health authorities across Canada to review their needs and inform them of our business continuity plans to maintain supply of our medicines.

  • 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.

  • Pfizer understands that the current health crisis has impacted Canadians in different ways. For several of its products, Pfizer has temporarily enhanced the financial component of its support programs to help Canadians whose continuity of care is challenged by the pandemic. Please speak to your health care provider about Pfizer’s assistance programs.

SUPPORTING THE FRONT-LINE
  • Pfizer Canada has made significant donations to front-line community organizations, including Centraide ̸ United Way, the Canadian Red Cross, West-Island Community Shares, Breakfast Club of Canada, Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Help Age Canada and Fondation Petits Frères des Pauvres, and the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation. 

  • Pfizer has also contributed funds to our industry association’s (Innovative Medicines Canada) COVID-19 Fund.  To date, funds have been invested to purchase much-needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  See press release.  

  • Pfizer Canada is also encouraging colleagues to support coronavirus response activities in their local communities by contributing to charity organizations involved in front-line services. Pfizer Canada will match colleague contributions up to a maximum of $250.  

  • Colleagues are encouraged to participate in virtual volunteering programs focused on online mentoring/career advice and social service.

  • Pfizer also allows colleagues who are licensed healthcare professional to volunteer their services to provide healthcare support in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

About Pfizer in Canada

Pfizer Canada ULC is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc., one of the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies. Our diversified healthcare portfolio includes some of the world’s best known and most prescribed medicines and vaccines. We apply science and our global resources to improve the health and well-being of Canadians at every stage of life. Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from our disease awareness initiatives to our community partnerships. To learn more about Pfizer Canada, visit pfizer.ca or you can follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

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For more information:

Corporate Affairs Canada
Pfizer Canada Media Line: 1-866-9Pfizer (1 866 973-4937)  or [email protected]

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