We at Pfizer are deeply concerned by the accusations of bribery in recent news reports. We categorically deny this allegation and consider this a grave affront to our reputation.

Our company has always upheld the highest ethical standards in doing business around the world for the past 160 years. We have an absolute commitment to the people of the Philippines to do what’s right legally and ethically. We strictly comply with all local laws as well as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and will never engage in any form of bribery.

We have always sought to provide wider access to our high-quality medicines.

In 2002, long before discussions on the Cheaper Medicines Act were started, Pfizer launched a patient care program that aimed to provide access to our medicines for a greater number of Filipinos prescribed with Pfizer medicines by their doctors. Pfizer’s Sulit Patient Care Program has evolved into a comprehensive program aimed to achieve better health outcomes for patients by providing them with both discounts and relevant disease management information This program has benefited 1.8 million patients to date, including various sectors of the population, such as teachers, Overseas Filipino Workers (seafarers), HMO members, and private and government employees.

In our desire to have more Filipinos benefit from Pfizer’s high-quality medicines and patient care program, we have volunteered to partner with the Department of Health to offer Sulit cards to 5 million more patients in national and local government hospitals and community health centers by the end of the year.

These discussions began in May 2009, prior to the announcement of the list of products subject to Maximum Retail Price. We are saddened that our sincere desire to help has been misconstrued as bribery.

We all share the common goal of a healthier Philippines.

Together with the industry, we have initiated meetings with government agencies to dialogue on possible solutions to address access to medicines with full transparency. At Pfizer, we believe that more can be achieved through working in partnership and will continue our efforts to find solutions through constructive engagement with all stakeholders.