The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Colombia Business Council (USCBC) and the Global Initiative on Health and the Economy (GIHE) hosted a Public-Private Partnership Forum to Advance Resilient Health Systems in Colombia in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 10.
The event convened leaders from government, academia, civil society, and the business community to focus on the importance of public-private partnerships as a tool to strengthen the health of communities, and the role of the private sector in building more sustainable and resilient health systems.
The private sector is leading the charge in creating sustainable and resilient heath systems, and in this spotlight series, we hear from business leaders about their company’s impact in Colombia.
Today’s sponsor spotlight is on Ana Dolores Roman, General Manager, Pfizer Colombia & Venezuela.
Q: How is your company contributing to advancing health in Colombia, especially in underserved communities?
For more than 150 years, Pfizer has been a leader in tackling some of the most persistent healthcare challenges through the breakthrough medicines and vaccines we discover, develop, and bring to the market.
In 2023, we celebrate 70 years of Pfizer's presence in Colombia, a milestone that reinforces our commitment to contribute to the country and to the health of millions of patients, as well as our vocation to continue implementing creative, scalable, and sustainable solutions that address the main challenges of public health and contribute to reduce barriers to access to timely and quality medical care, especially in populations with high geographical dispersion and rurality, which must leave their rural areas.
Pfizer envisions a future where disease doesn’t win, but science does, and that every patient, regardless of where they live, will have access to breakthroughs that change lives.
To bring this vision to life, our report highlights examples of our fierce commitment to decrease health disparities in communities living in vulnerable areas in Colombia, seeking to reinforce prevention, protection and self-care measures of patients and caregivers while increasing their health literacy.
LEARN MORE: "Pfizer's Contribution to Healthcare Disparities in Colombia"
Q: Where does your company see the greatest opportunity for working in partnership with stakeholders to enhance sustainable access to health products and services?
Pfizer works collaboratively with governments, medical societies, supra-national organizations, patient organizations, academia, and civil society to ensure that health innovation reaches all people, regardless of race, religion, or socioeconomic status.
Health inequity is one of the greatest and most urgent challenges we face today. Half of the world’s population cannot access the healthcare they need. Significant improvements in local health systems are still needed in many lower-income countries to ensure broader and better access to care. (World Bank and WHO: Half the world lacks access to essential health services, 100 million still pushed into extreme poverty because of health expenses)
Seven decades in Colombia makes us think about how we can imagine the future of health in the country. Our vision is to continue working tirelessly in public-private partnerships in the areas of research and development to discover new therapeutic options through R&D to meet the needs of the population.
Q: What will be your company’s legacy in Colombia?
Pfizer Colombia Scientific Institute (ICPC) celebrates 10 years of its creation, and we look forward to many more. Our legacy will highlight the recognition, support, and development of academic and scientific activities for the promotion of education and research and innovation in health sciences. Our program has had an impact on more than 40,500 health professionals throughout these 10 years, and we will continue to increase that number.
Our legacy will also be building programs for young Colombian researchers. In 2018, The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, The Association Medicine Faculties (ASCOFAME) and the Pfizer Colombia Scientific Institute (ICPC) developed the program “Youth researchers in medicine” which recognizes the innovative projects carried out by young researchers during their obligatory social service year. The Young Researchers program has generated 30 scientific publications in indexed journals. 50% of the participating young researchers are currently pursuing doctoral studies.
About the authors
Megan Bridges
Megan Bridges is Senior Manager for the Americas at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and supports the U.S.-Colombia Business Council, U.S.-Mexico Economic Council, U.S.-Canada Business Initiative, and Coalition for the Rule of Law in Global Markets.
