In a rapidly growing global community, the fast-pace human activities and multifaceted demands of society exposes one's health to risks and therefore prone to illnesses. At this juncture, the availability of the right medicine is crucial. Major pharmaceutical firms spend valuable time and huge amount of capital conducting extensive and elaborate research work to find the right concoction especially against virulent diseases and widespread illnesses. Pfizer Inc, the US-based world's largest research-based biomedical and pharmaceutical company, believes that “finding sustainable solutions to the health care challenges of our changing world cannot wait.” Pfizer's R&D programs are concentrated on oncology (study and treatment of tumors), diabetes mellitus, neurological and cardiovascular diseases. As the global leader in health care, Pfizer is continuously exploring ways to find the best solution to difficulties and complications besetting individuals, thereby improving their welfare through better access to safe, effective and affordable medicine and related health care services. Dr. Magdi Mohsen, public affairs manager, Pfizer Saudi Arabia, said the company allots more than 16 percent of the annual gross sales for its research and development endeavors. In 2007, Pfizer spent $8.1 billion on R&D in search for new medicines to keep people healthy. He explained that developing a drug is a “high-risk investment” particularly for renowned pharmaceutical companies as it involves an average outlay of $500 million to $800 million before such drug finally gets the approval of regulatory bodies. The several phases of producing a drug starting from a mere idea and selection of molecules down to actual test application of drug to around 5,000 to 10,000 patients afflicted with a disease intended by the drug is a meticulous and lengthy procedure that normally takes 10-15 years, Dr. Magdi noted. It's only after evaluating the concomitant adverse reactions and side affects, if any, that the drug could be dispensed, he added. However, Dr. Magdi lamented the widespread blatant disregard and utter violation of the intellectual property rights by some unscrupulous imitators of patented drugs, saying that established pharmaceutical firms like Pfizer lose huge amounts in revenues as a result. Besides, he cautioned on the risks of taking the imitation drug since it did not pass the stringent inspection process that guarantees it contains the same amount of active ingredients and works in the same way as the patented drug. Though the imitation drug is cheaper, he said, it poses another serious health threat as it may not only aggravate the disease, but may even add to resistance to patented drug should it be taken. “Our innovative public-private partnership allows Pfizer drugs to reach those most in need in poor countries through donations,” he added. Dr. Magdi said Pfizer is working actively with both the government agencies and the private sector to increase awareness on the right use of drugs and proper health care. “In Saudi Arabia, Pfizer works closely with the Ministry of Health, other government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and healthcare professionals and even with the media to inform and educate the population about the illnesses that are common such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia or high concentration of cholesterol in the blood,” Dr. Magdi noted. “Our regular health care programs done in collaboration with the government encompass the cities down to the villages,” he added. Imparting proper health care and hygienic lifestyle is Pfizer's paramount corporate social responsibility, Dr. Magdi stressed. He said that the percentage of the population having diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases in the Kingdom is high, hence the “more we are emboldened to heighten our health awareness campaign.” Sedentary way of life and eating habits lead to obesity that if goes unchecked and without proper exercise, would lead to serious diseases like diabetes and even heart attack due to blocked and hardened arteries, he explained. Moreover, Pfizer is at the forefront of the drive against smoking, he said, citing the new drug to quit smoking invented by Pfizer and approved by the US and European regulatory agencies. Dr. Magdi pointed out that Pfizer, as a research-based drug company, strengthens its partnership with governments and non-governmental organizations to ensure that patent-protected drugs reach those in need. As patented drug takes years and costs millions of dollars before it could be available – with the cost of developing a new compound amounting to at least $800 million, Dr. Magdi once again urges full respect for intellectual property rights “for the interest of mankind.” __
