A biopharmaceutical company, Pfizer, says it will continue to prioritise patients’ perspective in all its work to bring therapies to improve lives.
Mr Olayinka Subair, Pfizer West Africa Country Manager, said this on Friday during a virtual meeting on Pfizer’s Second Annual Patients in Focus Week.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this year’s theme “With Patients; For Patients,” signifies a renewal of Pfizer’s ongoing commitment to serving patients.
Subair said that the week-long summit which began on Oct. 3 would assist Pfizer learn from its patient advocacy partners how it could better incorporate patient voices into its daily work.
“Pfizer could not realise its purpose without the pivotal role played by patients, caregivers, and advocates,” he said.
He noted that these critical partners engage in its research and development efforts, offer consult on clinical trial design, partner to develop tools, resources, and easy-to-understand materials for patients.
“This time and focus will support our work as we continue to strive to be the most patient-centric company, understanding and embedding the patient perspective in all we do.
“Further, Pfizer will be able to develop more innovative medicines and breakthroughs when we engage with patients and patient advocacy groups to understand the needs of all patients.
“Patients in Focus spurs inspiration, energy, and innovation by showcasing examples of new ways to include patients at every step of Pfizer’s work.
“It is an opportunity for us to collectively envision how we can continue to best serve the evolving needs of patients in the years to come,” Subair said.
Subair noted that in West Africa, Pfizer would demonstrate its commitment to patients through an engagement with patient advocates in oncology, rare diseases and immunisation to promote health equity and strengthen partnerships.
Also, Sally Susman, the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Pfizer, said though the event was week-long, Pfizer’s commitment to patients was year-round and central to its daily work.
“We are made up of many local markets and differing functions, but our purpose at Pfizer is global: to develop breakthroughs that change patients’ lives.
“For our work to be meaningful, every function of Pfizer needs to understand the importance of engaging patients, caregivers, and advocates in our work” Susman said.
Similarly, Ms Michelle Akande, Vice President, Global Access Financing, Pfizer, said sharing real patient and caregiver experiences would build empathy and allow to better understand patient journey and how to work with them to address unmet needs.
“Patients in focus allows us to showcase bi-directional advocacy relationships and partnerships that build trust and increase awareness of the value and benefit of partnering with patients across all functions,” she said.
Also, Mr Samuel Wiafe, Executive Director, Rare Disease Ghana Initiative, said the NGO in collaboration with Pfizer had been able to bridge gaps in the management of rare disease.
Wiafe said the partnership had increased knowledge and awareness to early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of rare diseases.
Similarly, Dr Gregory Oyinloye, Medical Director, Leah Foundation, Kwara State, said collaboration with Pfizer enabled the foundation to close the care gap with cancer treatment.
“We are able to offer consultation and assessment, counselling, awareness and sensitisations campaign through road walks, radio jingles in the North Central axis of Nigeria,” Oyinloye said.
Also, Chika Nwankwo, Programmes Lead, Vaccine Network for Disease Control, Abuja, said the network and Pfizer have a long standing relationship of collaborating to address pertinent issues and sensitising communities through edutainment.
“This approach of community awareness drive has since been adopted by many health outreaches and has achieved positive results in transforming community behaviours to vaccines and other health services in Nigeria,” she said. (NAN)
