As Pfizer kicks off Patients in Focus, survey reveals need to narrow the gaps

Pharma News: Pfizer is hosting its fourth annual global event, Patients in Focus Week, from 30 September to 4 October, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to patients. This week-long initiative celebrates patient engagement and emphasises the integral role that patients play in shaping Pfizer’s work.

Recent results from the Patient View survey for Australia and New Zealand reveal essential gaps that patient advocacy groups have identified. In ANZ, only 29% of patient groups rated transparency regarding clinical data as excellent or good, while just 11% provided a favourable rating for transparency in pricing, and 16% for engaging patients in research and development. These statistics are notably lower than the findings from China and Japan, highlighting a pressing need for improvement.

“In 1849, Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart founded the company we know today as Pfizer. One hundred and seventy-five years later, we celebrate our legacy, marked by countless breakthroughs and unwavering dedication to patients,” said Sally Susman, Pfizer’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer.

Patients in Focus Week not only acknowledges the profound impact of patients on Pfizer’s mission but also reaffirms the company’s dedication to placing patients at the heart of its operations. In 2023 alone, Pfizer positively impacted the lives of 618 million patients, and the company is on track to meet its ambitious goal of changing a billion lives annually by 2027. While the event spans only a week, Pfizer’s commitment to patients is ongoing and central to its daily activities.

Susman added, “For our work to be meaningful, we must build bridges of understanding and collaboration in patient care. That’s why our 2024 Patients in Focus theme is ‘175 Years of Building Bridges with Patients,’ recognising the countless contributions that brought us here. Through constant innovation, collaboration, and dedication, we strive to bridge gaps and deliver the best care and most ideal health outcomes for patients worldwide.”

Pfizer Australia is further demonstrating its commitment through various activities surrounding Patients in Focus Week, including a Global Town Hall that celebrates the company’s legacy of improving patient outcomes.

A special panel discussion featuring Glenn McGrath, co-founder of the McGrath Foundation, alongside Claire Kewley, a McGrath Breast Care Nurse, will also take place, alongside a presentation by Mark Brooke, CEO of Lung Foundation Australia.

“Patients are at the heart of what we do,” emphasised Anne Harris, Pfizer Australia & New Zealand Managing Director. “Listening and learning from patients is critical to informing our work and helping us design solutions that have the potential to deliver better health outcomes. The expertise and insights that patient advocacy groups bring to the table are invaluable.”

Patients in Focus is spearheaded by Global Patient Advocacy Leads across the organisation, with the aim to propel Pfizer toward its goals of becoming the most patient-centric company and enhancing health equity.

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