Pfizer to Train Doctors in Use of Medicine

Pfizer, Inc., a $29 billion-a-year company based in New York, will spend $11 million over three years to establish a center to train African doctors in administering AIDS drugs and arranging treatment for as many as 50,000 Ugandans. Intended to begin preparing Africa's woeful health system for an infusion of Western assistance, the center will be run by an alliance of Western and African physicians -- the Academic Alliance for AIDS Care and Prevention in Africa.

"We're eliminating their excuses," said Merle A. Sande, chair of the University of Utah medicine department and co-director of the newly formed Academic Alliance that will operate out of Uganda's Makerere University medical school. The Academic Alliance announced today that it aims to train 80 African clinicians a year. "We also expect to treat up to 50,000 patients with the kind of care that is available in the developed world but not yet widely used in Africa," said Nelson Sewankambo, dean of the Makerere medical school.

For Pfizer, sharply criticized by AIDS activists in the past, today's announcement was the second significant move in a week. Last Wednesday Pfizer promised free supplies of the anti-fungal drug Diflucan to the 50 poorest countries. "This is an expression of society's expectation of the industry," said Henry A. McKinnell, Pfizer chair, who traveled to the Ugandan capital for the announcement.

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has led the nation of 21 million to strategies that have effectively addressed its AIDS epidemic. The HIV infection rate has been lowered from 30 percent in the early 1990s to 10 percent today. In allowing Pfizer to set up the program, Uganda has chosen to embrace the pharmaceutical industry rather than manufacturers of cheaper generic versions of AIDS drugs.

Back to other CDC news for June 12, 2001

Previous Updates