E-DRUG: Pfizer donates fluconazole to 50 countries
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[When Pfizer signed a contract on 1 December 2000 with South Africa
for a fluconazole donation programme, the SA Minister insisted on
Pfizer making the drug also available to other SADC countries.
In anticipation of a meeting between SADC Health Ministers and
7 drug companies on 8 June in South Africa, Pfizer announced this
expansion to 50 other countries.
Cryptococcus meningitis and oesophageal candidiasis in HIV/AIDS
patients can now finally be treated. Well done, Pfizer! NN]
For Immediate Release
June 6, 2001
PFIZER TO OFFER DIFLUCAN ANTIFUNGAL MEDICINE AT NO CHARGE TO HIV/AIDS
PATIENTS IN 50 LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD
Program to Expand on South African Partnership Model in Cooperation With
United Nations' AIDS Program and World Health Organization
NEW YORK, June 6, 2001 - Pfizer Inc said today it will offer Diflucan�
antifungal medicine at no charge to HIV/AIDS patients in 50 least-developed
countries as identified by the United Nations where HIV/AIDS is most
prevalent.
The Diflucan Partnership was developed in cooperation with the United
Nations and the World Health Organization and expands upon the existing
South African Diflucan Partnership Program, a collaboration between Pfizer
and the South African Ministry of Health.
"Together with our partners at the UN and the WHO, we are moving quickly to
expand The Diflucan Partnership and reach as many HIV/AIDS patients as
possible in the 50 countries targeted by the UN," said Dr. Henry McKinnell,
Chairman and CEO of Pfizer. "The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a tragedy of
unprecedented magnitude. We will support this initiative for as long as it
is needed, and we will continue to work with the UN, the WHO and other
international organizations to ensure public/private partnerships like the
Diflucan program can be most effective."
Dr. McKinnell also noted that he reviewed Pfizer's new initiative with the
White House and Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson and
received their support.
Diflucan began reaching patients earlier this spring through the South
African partnership program. To date, 185 institutions in South Africa have
begun to distribute medicine through the program. Discussions about the
expanded partnership programs have now begun with five additional
countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland.
Commenting on the program, the South African Ambassador to the U.S., H.E.
Sheila Violet Makate Sisulu, said, "What makes this offer so special is the
appreciation that the planning required for the implementation of this
initiative must be done in conjunction with governments in order to meet
the priorities identified."
In the 50 least developed countries with an HIV prevalence of greater than
one percent, roughly 12 million people are reported to be infected with
HIV/AIDS. While Diflucan is not a treatment for HIV/AIDS, it has proven
highly effective in treating two opportunistic infections, cryptococcal
meningitis and esophageal candidiasis, that afflict large numbers of people
with AIDS.
Pfizer's support has no dollar or time limits. The company will work
closely with governments, non-governmental organizations, the UN and the
WHO to ensure Diflucan reaches all eligible patients who cannot afford
treatment. The partnership will offer medically responsible treatment
programs, which will include education of patients and healthcare
providers, appropriate dispensing of medicines, and ongoing monitoring and
support from partner governments. In order to expedite the delivery of
Diflucan, Pfizer will explore existing distribution networks in the
targeted countries and ship Diflucan through those networks with the
approval of the appropriate government and medical authorities.
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening infection of the brain caused
by the yeast Cryptococcus neoformans; it occurs in approximately one in 10
AIDS patients in the late stages of the disease. Of those suffering from
untreated meningitis, the mortality rate is more than 90 percent.
Esophageal candidiasis is a debilitating fungal infection of the esophagus
caused by Candida albicans; it is reported in 20 to 40 percent of all
patients with HIV/AIDS. While mortality rates are considerably lower for
patients suffering from infection of the esophagus, the condition
frequently prevents patients from swallowing food and leads to overall
physical deterioration.
In addition to the South African Ambassador to the United States and New
York AIDS Coalition Executive Director Joey B. Pressley, the following
representatives participated in today's announcement: Republic of Namibia
Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Martin Andjaba;
Republic of Malawi Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E.
Yusuf McDadlly Juwayeyi; Botswanan Minister of Lands and Housing, H.E.
Jacob Nkate; Kingdom of Lesotho Permanent Representative to the United
Nations, H.E. Percy Metsing Mangoaela; Botswana Acting Permanent
Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Leutlwetse Mmualefe; and United
States Acting Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. James
Cunningham.
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