Pfizer’s N1.9b Eludes Nigeria
 16th OCT 2006

Nigeria is missing in the list of African countries earmarked to benefit from Pfizer’s N1.9 billion ($15 million) to assist close critical gaps in malaria for patients in the continent. The lucky countries that will enjoy the Pfizer’s benevolence are Senegal, Ghana and Kenya.

While the company could not give reasons for not considering Nigeria, it however said through Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), it will partner with governments, leading local and international organizations like UNICEF, World Health Organisation and President’s Malaria Initiative (USAID), and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help develop and strengthen programmes for the effective treatment and management of malaria.

Besides, a financial analyst and consultant, Mr. Ralph Ntiajuka, said he was not surprised on the non-inclusion of Nigeria on the list because Nigeria is not regarded as a poor country.
 He said, “you cannot compare Nigeria’s exchange earning from crude oil annually to what Senegal, Kenya and Ghana, put together, earn in the same period.’’

Malaria is Africa’s leading cause of child mortality with one out of every five children dying as a result of the disease.  While effective new anti-malarial medicines have become available, critical obstacles remain in ridding affected regions of this fatal, yet curable, disease.
 “The malaria pandemic in Africa, responsible for 10 percent of the continent’s overall disease burden, is a heartbreaking and frustrating challenge,” said Dr. Joseph Feczko, Pfizer’s chief medical officer.
 He added that “unless patient education and the capacity for care is rapidly improved, new anti-malarials will achieve only incremental health impact.”

Through the five year malaria initiative, the company will provide grants and Pfizer Global Health Fellow (GHF) expertise to support programmes that improve patients’ understanding of appropriate treatment and patient care, especially in the non-traditional informal health sector where sub-optimal diagnosis and treatment is offered.

 “We commend President Clinton for his leadership and partnership with global business leaders in improving the quality of life for people throughout the developing world,” said Robert L. Mallett, senior vice president, Global Stakeholder Alliances, Philanthropy & Corporate Citizenship.
 “We are pleased to announce this initiative as part of our continued commitment to partner in the fight to address neglected diseases,” Mallett added.

With several decades of experience working with stakeholders on the African continent, Pfizer said it would continue to support efforts to engage healthcare providers to improve the effective management of malaria and educate patients to make better health choices. Through the malaria initiative, Pfizer is targeting partnerships in these regions to increase the number of caretakers seeking appropriate treatment for feverish children and increase the number of children taking anti-malarial medications.

Malaria is an infectious disease that consumes the red blood cells of its host, leading to fever, anaemia, and in severe cases, a coma potentially leading to death. Malaria has been estimated to cost Africa more than $12 billion each year in lost gross domestic product (GDP).

Pfizer also has a research programme focused on malaria. Scientists are developing a potential treatment based on its widely used antibiotic – Zithromax. Dosed in combination with Chloroquine, Zithromax has demonstrated promising results against malaria in a pilot study.

Clinical studies are underway at 19 study centres in 10 countries in South America, Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia, and Africa. Leading international researchers are conducting these trials under the guidance of each country's Ministry of Health and Ethics Committee.

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