Russia: Pfizer stops clinical trials, Bayer halts investment projects
Pfizer today said that a halt in the flow of its medicines to Russia would be in direct violation of its foundational principle of putting patients first. “Ending delivery of medicines, including cancer or cardiovascular therapies, would cause significant patient suffering and potential loss of life, particularly among children and elderly people.”
While maintaining the supply of medicines to Russia, the US drug maker said it will not be business as usual for the company in that country:
“Today we are announcing that effective immediately Pfizer will donate all profits of our Russian subsidiary to causes that provide direct humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine.”
Additionally, the pharma giant revealed it will refrain from starting new clinical trials in Russia, and it will stop recruiting new patients in its ongoing clinical trials in that market.
Pfizer said it will work with the US Food and Drug 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.”
While the company doesn’t own or operate any manufacturing sites in Russia, it said it would also cease all planned investments with local suppliers intended to build manufacturing capacity in the country.
Bayer suspends investment projects in Russia
Bayer also announced today that it would be continuing to deliver essential products to both Russia and Belarus.
The German multinational company acknowledged calls from some quarters that it should stop the supply of all its products to both markets:
“We understand these concerns as the war raises moral and ethical issues for every company. Our position is that this senseless war has already taken many lives.
"As a life science company, we have an ethical obligation – in every country we operate in. Withholding essential health and agriculture products from the civilian populations – like cancer or cardiovascular treatments, health products for pregnant women and children as well as seeds to grow food – would only multiply the war’s ongoing toll on human life.”
