Davos Updates | Pfizer offers cheap medicines to poor countries

DAVOS – Pfizer says it will offer nearly two dozen products, including its best-selling COVID-19 vaccine and treatment, at charitable prices in some of the world’s poorest countries.

The drugmaker announced the program Wednesday at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, and said it aims to improve health equity in 45 low-income countries. Most of the countries are in Africa, but the list also includes Haiti, Syria, Cambodia and North Korea.

The products, which are widely available in the US and European Union, include 23 drugs and vaccines to treat infectious diseases, some cancers, and rare and inflammatory diseases. Company spokeswoman Pam Eisele says only a small number of the drugs and vaccines are available in the 45 countries.

Eisele says that New York-based Pfizer will charge only manufacturing costs and “minimal” distribution costs. It will comply with all sanctions and all other applicable laws.

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This month, the head of the World Health Organization called on Pfizer to make its COVID-19 treatment more widely available in poorer countries.