Case Study

Pfizer Inc., founded in 1849, is dedicated to better health and greater access to health care for people and their valued animals. Every day, colleagues in more than 150 countries work to discover, develop, manufacture and deliver quality, safe and effective prescription medicines to patients.

In the UK, Pfizer has its European R&D headquarters at Sandwich and its UK business headquarters in Surrey, and is the major supplier of medicines to the NHS.

Pfizer’s annual UK R&D investment is more than £550 million – more than £10 million a week.

Pfizer is committed to helping people live healthier lives.

In the UK, the company has three coordinated initiatives which improve the health and well-being of communities in which colleagues work and live. Efforts are focused on deprived areas and marginalised communities where inequalities in health provision are greatest and where help is needed most.

The national programme provides funding and practical support to grass-roots organisations dealing with local health inequalities. Pfizer also effectively utilises its vast array of human resource by encouraging colleagues to spend five days a year volunteering their practical and professional skills to support organisations improving community health. The company also supports communities local to their sites by offering grants, time and in-kind donations.

These initiatives enable Pfizer to have a better understanding of the UK healthcare environment and of their customer and stakeholders’ needs so the organisation is better informed and positioned. It also enhances relationships with stakeholders and impacts positively on employee development, motivation, recruitment and retention.

Impact

• In 2008, 141 projects were funded which improved the health and well-being of over 213,959 people.
• 600 Pfizer colleagues volunteered with 94 organisations.
• 77% of Pfizer staff in the UK responded positively to the statement ‘it is important to me that Pfizer makes a contribution to local communities’.
• Positive changes in weight, blood pressure, mobility, smoking cessation and sexual health testing have been measured and reported.