Is Pfizer Inc. ethical?

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Corporate conduct Recall

Pfizer recalls Chantix due to nitrosamine contamination

Pfizer recalled all lots of Chantix after detecting N-nitroso-varenicline at or above acceptable intake limits.

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fda.gov
Pfizer Expands Voluntary Nationwide Recall to include Four Additional Lots of CHANTIX® (varenicline) Tablets Due to N- Nitroso Varenicline Content | FDA
Pfizer is voluntarily recalling an additional four lots of Chantix 0.5mg/1 mg Tablets to the patient (consumer/user) level due to the presence of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-varenicline, above the Pfizer established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) level.
Pfizer Expands Voluntary Nationwide Recall to include Four Additional Lots of CHANTIX® (varenicline) Tablets Due to N- Nitroso Varenicline Content
sec.gov
In 2021, Pfizer recalled all lots of Chantix in the U.S. due to the presence of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-varenicline, at or above the FDA interim acceptable intake limit.
federal courts following Pfizer’s voluntary recall of Chantix due to the presence of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-varenicline.
sec.gov
In 2021, Pfizer recalled all lots of Chantix in the U.S. due to the presence of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-varenicline, at or above the FDA interim acceptable intake limit.
Failure to comply with these requirements may subject us to possible legal or regulatory actions, such as warning letters, suspension of manufacturing, seizure of product, injunctions, debarment, product recalls, delays or denials of product approvals, import bans or denials of import certifications. In 2021, Pfizer recalled all lots of Chantix in the U.S. due to the presence of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-varenicline, at or above the FDA interim acceptable intake limit.
federal courts following Pfizer’s voluntary recall of Chantix due to the presence of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-varenicline.
sec.gov
For example, in 2021, Pfizer recalled all lots of Chantix due to the presence of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso- varenicline, at or above the acceptable intake limits communicated by various regulatory authorities.
For example, in 2021, Pfizer recalled all lots of Chantix due to the presence of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-varenicline, at or above acceptable intake limits communicated by various regulatory authorities.
federal courts following Pfizer’s voluntary recall of Chantix due to the presence of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-varenicline.
sec.gov
For example, in 2021, Pfizer recalled Chantix due to the presence of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-varenicline, at or above acceptable intake limits communicated by various regulatory authorities.

Climate & energy Allegation

Pfizer is accused of discharging hazardous chemicals

Pfizer is accused of discharging trichloroethylene and other hazardous chemicals at a pharmaceutical plant, contaminating groundwater 90 feet underground.

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phillyvoice.com
The state's complaint alleges that Pfizer was involved in the operation of a pharmaceutical plant that discharged trichloroethylene, or TCE, and other hazardous chemicals at the site, contaminating the groundwater about 90 feet underground.

Corporate conduct Allegation

Pfizer is accused of misleading vaccine effectiveness claims

Pfizer is accused of misleading consumers by claiming its vaccine is 95% effective through relative risk reduction in a Lubbock County state court complaint.

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finance.yahoo.com
In a complaint filed in a Lubbock County state court, Paxton said it was misleading for Pfizer to claim its vaccine was 95% effective because it offered a "relative risk reduction" for people to who took it.
Pfizer is sued by Texas over COVID-19 vaccine claims
thehill.com
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced Thursday he is suing the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, alleging the company “misrepresented” the effectiveness of its widely administered COVID-19 vaccine.

Corporate conduct Settlement

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission settled enforcement action against Pfizer Inc. for violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) through bribery of foreign officials

The settlement involving Pfizer Inc. concerns doctors and other health care professionals.

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mgaleg.maryland.gov
SEC Charges Pfizer with FCPA Violations The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Pfizer Inc. with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) when its subsidiaries bribed doctors and other health care professionals employed by foreign governments in order to win business. The SEC alleges that employees and agents of Pfizer’s subsidiaries in Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Serbia made improper payments to foreign officials to obtain regulatory and formulary approvals, sales, and increased prescriptions for the company’s pharmaceutical products.
The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Pfizer Inc. with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) when its subsidiaries bribed doctors and other health care professionals employed by foreign governments in order to win business. The SEC alleges that employees and agents of Pfizer’s subsidiaries in Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Serbia made improper payments to foreign officials to obtain regulatory and formulary approvals, sales, and increased prescriptions for the company’s pharmaceutical products.
Pfizer consented to the entry of a final judgment ordering it to pay disgorgement of $16,032,676 in net profits and prejudgment interest of $10,307,268 for a total of $26,339,944.
sec.gov
Pfizer and recently acquired Wyeth LLC - charged with its own FCPA violations - agreed to pay a combined $45 million in their settlements.
sec.gov
The Securities and Exchange Commission today filed a settled enforcement action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against Pfizer Inc. for violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) when its subsidiaries bribed doctors and other health care professionals employed by foreign governments in order to win business.
Pfizer consented to the entry of a final judgment ordering it to pay disgorgement of $16,032,676 in net profits and prejudgment interest of $10,307,268 for a total of $26,339,944.
The SEC further alleges that Wyeth subsidiaries engaged in FCPA violations, primarily before, but also after, the company's acquisition by Pfizer in late 2009. For example, according to the SEC's complaint, starting at least in 2005, subsidiaries marketing Wyeth nutritional products in China, Indonesia, and Pakistan bribed government doctors to recommend their products to patients by making cash payments or in some cases providing BlackBerrys and cell phones or travel incentives.
The SEC alleges that employees and agents of Pfizer's subsidiaries in Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Serbia made improper payments to foreign officials to obtain regulatory and formulary approvals, sales, and increased prescriptions for the company's pharmaceutical products.
sec.gov
This action arises from violations of the books and records and internal controls provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (“the FCPA”) by Defendant Pfizer Inc. (“Pfizer”), relating to improper payments made to foreign officials in numerous countries by the employees and agents of Pfizer’s subsidiaries in order to assist Pfizer in obtaining or retaining business.
As described above, four Pfizer subsidiaries engaged in transactions in eight countries which were intended to improperly influence foreign government officials in connection with regulatory and formulary approvals, purchase decisions, prescription decisions, and customs clearance.
Pfizer Czech employees took steps to conceal the true nature of these transactions, and failed to accurately record these transactions by falsely booking them as “Conventions and Trade Meeting,” among other false and misleading descriptions.
Pfizer HCP Croatia employees took steps to conceal the true nature of these transactions and failed to accurately record these transactions by falsely booking them as “Conventions,” “Gifts,” and “Professional Services – Non Consultant” expenses, among other false and misleading descriptions.
Pfizer Russia employees took steps to conceal the true nature of these various improper transactions, and failed to accurately record these transactions by booking them as “Travel and Entertainment,” “Convention and Trade Meetings,” “Conferences,” “Distribution Freight,” and “Clinical Grants/Clinical Trials,” among other false and misleading descriptions.
As a result of this conduct, Pfizer violated Section 13(b)(2)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) by failing to make and keep books, records and accounts, which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and disposition of assets of the issuer.
Pfizer Italy employees took steps to conceal the true nature of these transactions and failed to accurately record these transactions by falsely booking them as “Marketing Expenses,” “Professional Training,” and “Advertising in Scientific Journals,” among other false and misleading descriptions.
COMPLAINT
sec.gov
SEC Charges Pfizer With FCPA Violations
The SEC alleges that employees and agents of Pfizer’s subsidiaries in Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Serbia made improper payments to foreign officials to obtain regulatory and formulary approvals, sales, and increased prescriptions for the company’s pharmaceutical products.
Pfizer consented to the entry of a final judgment ordering it to pay disgorgement of $16,032,676 in net profits and prejudgment interest of $10,307,268 for a total of $26,339,944.
The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Pfizer Inc. with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) when its subsidiaries bribed doctors and other health care professionals employed by foreign governments in order to win business.
sec.gov
Pfizer consented to the entry of a final judgment ordering it to pay disgorgement of $16,032,676 in net profits and prejudgment interest of $10,307,268 for a total of $26,339,944.
The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Pfizer Inc. with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) when its subsidiaries bribed doctors and other health care professionals employed by foreign governments in order to win business.
The SEC alleges that employees and agents of Pfizer’s subsidiaries in Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Serbia made improper payments to foreign officials to obtain regulatory and formulary approvals, sales, and increased prescriptions for the company’s pharmaceutical products.
SEC Charges Pfizer with FCPA Violations
SEC.gov | SEC Charges Pfizer with FCPA Violations

Corporate conduct Settlement

Pfizer settles for deceptive Rapamune promotion

Pfizer settled with Schneiderman over off-label promotion of Rapamune.

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oig.hhs.gov
Schneiderman Announces Settlement with Pfizer to End Deceptive Advertising Practices and Off-label Promotion of Immunosuppressive Drug Rapamune
Schneiderman Announces Settlement with Pfizer to End Deceptive Advertising Practices and Off-label Promotion of Immunosuppressive Drug Rapamune | Office of Inspector General | Government Oversight | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Corporate conduct Settlement

Pfizer agreed to pay $59.7 million to resolve kickback allegations related to false claims submitted to Medicaid

Pfizer has agreed to pay $59,746,277.54, plus interest, to resolve allegations that Biohaven knowingly submitted or caused false claims to be submitted to Medicaid and other federal health care programs by paying kickbacks, including cash, lavish meals, and honoraria payments, to health care providers to induce them to prescribe Nurtec ODT (Nurtec), a prescription medication for the treatment of migraine headaches.

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oig.hhs.gov
AG Nessel Secures $59.7 Million Settlement Over Kickback Allegations Against Pfizer Subsidiary
Pfizer has agreed to pay $59,746,277.54, plus interest, to resolve allegations that Biohaven knowingly submitted or caused false claims to be submitted to Medicaid and other federal health care programs by paying kickbacks, including cash, lavish meals, and honoraria payments, to health care providers to induce them to prescribe Nurtec ODT (Nurtec), a prescription medication for the treatment of migraine headaches.
justice.gov
Office of Public Affairs | Pfizer Agrees to Pay Nearly 60M to Resolve False Claims Allegations Relating to Improper Physician Payments by Subsidiary | United States Department of Justice
michigan.gov
Attorney General: AG Nessel Secures $59.7 Million Settlement Over Kickback Allegations Against Pfizer Subsidiary
Pfizer has agreed to pay $59,746,277.54, plus interest, to resolve allegations that Biohaven knowingly submitted or caused false claims to be submitted to Medicaid and other federal health care programs by paying kickbacks, including cash, lavish meals, and honoraria payments, to health care providers to induce them to prescribe Nurtec ODT (Nurtec), a prescription medication for the treatment of migraine headaches.

Corporate conduct Allegation

Pfizer is accused of misled Florida about COVID vaccine safety

Pfizer is accused of misleading Florida about its COVID vaccine's safety.

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finance.yahoo.com
Pfizer Sued by Florida Attorney General Over COVID-19 Vaccine Marketing
Pfizer (PFE) is facing a lawsuit filed by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier alleging deceptive
floridaphoenix.com
Uthmeier alleges Pfizer misled Florida about its COVID vaccine's safety • Florida Phoenix
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit Thursday against Pfizer Inc., alleging unfair and deceptive marketing of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.
While Pfizer was insisting to consumers that the vaccine posed no material safety risks — and while it actively sought to discredit those who said otherwise — Pfizer was aware of data reflecting serious safety risks that it hid from the public.”
yahoo.com
Oct 1 (Reuters) - Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Pfizer ‌and its CEO, Albert Bourla, accusing the drugmaker ‌of misleading consumers about the safety and effectiveness of its COVID-19 ​vaccine.
yahoo.com
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit against Pfizer Inc., alleging unfair and deceptive marketing of the COVID-19 vaccine, seeking monetary damages and an injunction against future violations.
Uthmeier alleges Pfizer misled Florida about its COVID vaccine’s safety
The complaint from Florida recalls the uncertainty faced by citizens during the pandemic, highlighting Pfizer's intensive marketing campaign to promote the safety of its mRNA vaccine while allegedly hiding data reflecting serious safety risks.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit Thursday against Pfizer Inc., alleging unfair and deceptive marketing of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine.

Corporate conduct Settlement

Pfizer settles SEC Reach $29M end to scrap over insider trading

Pfizer settled with SEC over insider trading allegations, ending a $29M financial enforcement action.

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law.com
Pfizer Inc. and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reached a $29 million deal ending their fight over how to distribute the remainder of the agency’s historic insider trading settlement with S.A.C. Capital Advisors, the hedge fund founded by billionaire Steven Cohen.
Pfizer, SEC Reach $29M End to Scrap Over Insider Trading Settlement
sec.gov
In November 2023, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation on terms not material to Pfizer.

Corporate conduct Settlement

Pfizer subsidiary settles FCPA charges with $15 million penalty

An indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer will pay $15 million to settle FCPA charges related to alleged bribery of public officials.

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mgaleg.maryland.gov
In a parallel action, the Department of Justice announced that Pfizer H.C.P. Corporation agreed to pay a $15 million penalty to resolve its investigation of FCPA violations. “Pfizer subsidiaries in several countries had bribery so entwined in their sales culture that they offered points and bonus programs to improperly reward foreign officials who proved to be their best customers,” said Kara Brockmeyer, Chief of the SEC Enforcement https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2012-2012-152htm 3/5/21, 9:56 AM Page 1 of 4
Pfizer and Wyeth agreed to separate settlements in which they will pay more than $45 million combined to settle their respective charges.
sec.gov
Pfizer and Wyeth agreed to separate settlements in which they will pay approximately $45 million combined in disgorgement and prejudgment interest to the SEC to settle their respective charges.
Corporation, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer, will pay a $15 million penalty to settle FCPA charges brought against it today by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) under a deferred prosecution agreement.
sec.gov
Pfizer and Wyeth agreed to separate settlements in which they will pay more than $45 million combined to settle their respective charges.
In a parallel action, the Department of Justice announced that Pfizer H.C.P. Corporation agreed to pay a $15 million penalty to resolve its investigation of FCPA violations.
sec.gov
In a parallel action, the Department of Justice announced that Pfizer H.C.P. Corporation agreed to pay a $15 million penalty to resolve its investigation of FCPA violations.
Pfizer and Wyeth agreed to separate settlements in which they will pay more than $45 million combined to settle their respective charges.

Wages & economic policy Official statement

Pfizer books most of its earnings offshore

While the exact methods by which Pfizer is able to pay such low tax rates are unclear, public records indicate that Pfizer books most of its earnings offshore and benefits from changes made by the Republican tax law that lowered tax rates on foreign profits of U.S. corporations.

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finance.senate.gov
While the exact methods by which Pfizer is able to pay such low tax rates are unclear, public records indicate that Pfizer books most of its earnings offshore and benefits from changes made by the Republican tax law that lowered tax rates on foreign profits of U.S. corporations.
Pfizer recently disclosed that reductions in its effective tax rate were the result of the “jurisdictional location of earnings” and “largely due to lower tax rates in certain jurisdictions.”4 Pfizer also added that its tax rates are also “influenced by the specific location of non-U.S. earnings and the level of such earnings as compared to our total earnings.”5 As you are aware, profits reported by foreign subsidiaries of a U.S. multinational corporations are not taxed at the corporate income tax rate of 21%, but instead taxed at the much lower Global Intangible Low-Tax Income (GILTI) rate of 10.5% created by the 2017 Republican tax law.
If this is true, then the international tax system created by the 2017 Republican tax law appears to encourage and reward Pfizer’s shifting of profits offshore.
That Pfizer has successfully located more than 80% of its profits in foreign jurisdictions, it stands to reason that income derived from U.S. customers is being taxed under the low 10.5 percent GILTI rate on foreign income.
In Singapore, Pfizer benefits from “incentive tax rates” on income effective through 2048.7 Public reports further indicate that Pfizer also benefits from tax incentives in Ireland that encourage multinational U.S. corporations to shift intellectual property rights and related earnings to the country.8 As a result of these arrangements, there is a substantial discrepancy between where Pfizer generates prescription drug sales and where Pfizer books earnings from those drug sales for tax purposes.

Workplace equity Allegation

Pfizer is accused of failing to inform families

Pfizer is accused of not informing families that trovafloxacin was an experimental treatment and failed to obtain informed consent.

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web.archive.org
A secret Nigerian government report concluded that the drug manufacturer Pfizer undertook an “illegal trial of an unregistered drug” when the company enrolled nearly 100 Nigerian children with meningitis in a trial testing its antibiotic trovafloxacin (Trovan) against ceftriaxone during a 1996 meningitis epidemic.
A class action suit filed on behalf of the children’s families in a federal court in New York alleges that Pfizer did not inform families that trovafloxacin was an experimental treatment and that it failed to obtain informed consent (BMJ 2001;323:592).

Corporate conduct Allegation

Pfizer is accused of providing improper payments to doctors

Pfizer is accused of providing improper payments to doctors as incentives for prescribing or purchasing Pfizer products in the future.

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sec.gov
To facilitate the payment of rewards and incentives, Pfizer China employees organized meetings with Chinese government doctors that were marketed as “clubs” or “high- prescribing doctors” programs.
Although Pfizer HCP Serbia management discovered the improper agreement and terminated the responsible sales representative, it still provided the support after the doctor threatened to spread negative information about Pfizer’s reputation as a company.
Pfizer China employees provided these improper payments in recognition of past product sales or prescriptions, as incentives to prescribe or purchase Pfizer products in the future, or upon the basis of Pfizer China employees’ assessments of the doctors’ potential prescribing levels.
COMPLAINT

Corporate conduct Allegation

Pfizer is accused of providing payments to hospitals

Pfizer is accused of providing payments to hospitals as price discounts or in-kind benefits for purchases of certain products.

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sec.gov
Under this program, Pfizer Russia employees were permitted to provide payments to hospitals of 5% of the value of certain Pfizer products purchased by the hospitals as price discounts or in-kind benefits to hospitals for their purchases.
COMPLAINT

Climate & energy Settlement

Pfizer Inc. agreed to pay $975,000 to resolve alleged Clean Air Act violations at its former manufacturing plant in Groton

The settlement involving Pfizer Inc. concerns Clean Air Act.

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epa.gov
- June 23, 2008) - The pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. has agreed to pay a $975,000 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at its former manufacturing plant in Groton, Conn., the Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today.
Pfizer To Pay $975,000 For Alleged Clean Air Violations(Boston, Mass.
justice.gov
WASHINGTON—The pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. has agreed to pay a $975,000 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at its former manufacturing plant in Groton, Conn., the Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today.
During its production of pharmaceutical-grade chemicals, Pfizer used substances such as methanol, hydrogen chloride, methylene chloride, MTBE, hexane, toluene, and many others, which are classified by EPA as hazardous air pollutants under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act.
The consent decree filed in U.S. District Court in Connecticut settles government claims that Pfizer violated the “National Emission Standards for Pharmaceuticals Production” and the “National Emission Standards for Organic Hazardous Air Pollutants for Equipment Leaks,” (PharmaMACT regulations) under the federal Clean Air Act.

Corporate conduct Settlement

Pfizer settles Medicaid fraud allegations

Pfizer settled fraud claims with Medicaid states through negotiations led by a National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units team.

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atg.wa.gov
A National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units team participated in the investigation and conducted the settlement negotiations with Pfizer on behalf of the settling states.

Climate & energy Confirmed

Pfizer fined for environmental law violation

Pfizer was fined for violating environmental law at its Puerto Rico plant.

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statnews.com
For the second time in recent years, Pfizer has been fined by federal authorities for violating the Clean Air Act at a manufacturing plant in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico.
Pfizer fined again for violating environmental law at Puerto Rico plant

Corporate conduct Settlement

Pfizer promoted the sale of Bextra, an anti-inflammatory drug

pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act after Pfizer promoted the sale of Bextra, an anti-inflammatory drug, for uses and dosages that the Food and Drug Administration “specifically declined to approve due to safety concerns.”

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politifact.com
pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act after Pfizer promoted the sale of Bextra, an anti-inflammatory drug, for uses and dosages that the Food and Drug Administration “specifically declined to approve due to safety concerns.”
theintercept.com
In the case of Pfizer’s record settlement, whistleblowers charged that the company promoted Bextra for uses that were not approved by the FDA, placing patients at risk for heart attack and stroke.

Corporate conduct Allegation

Pfizer is accused of false and misleading claims

Pfizer is accused of false and misleading claims in the Kansas Attorney General’s lawsuit.

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kff.org
First, we examine the false and misleading claims underlying the Kansas Attorney General’s lawsuit against Pfizer.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a lawsuit against Pfizer last month, resurfacing false claims about vaccine safety.
Pfizer Lawsuit and Debunked Study Undermine COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations — The Monitor | KFF

Corporate conduct Confirmed

Pfizer sues Novo Nordisk over drug acquisition

Pfizer filed a breach of contract suit and an antitrust suit to block Novo Nordisk's acquisition of a weight loss drug company.

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law.com
Pfizer has launched a two-pronged litigation effort to stop Novo Nordisk from acquiring a weight loss drug company, filing a breach of contract suit in the Court of Chancery on Friday and an antitrust suit in the District of Delaware on Monday.

Corporate conduct Recall

Pfizer pulled Bextra off the market in April 2005

At the FDA's request, Pfizer pulled Bextra off the market in April 2005 because its risks, including a rare, sometimes fatal, skin reaction, outweighed its benefits.

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abcnews.com
At the FDA's request, Pfizer pulled Bextra off the market in April 2005 because its risks, including a rare, sometimes fatal, skin reaction, outweighed its benefits.