Read the Conversation
EF: What are the current priorities you are working on in South Africa since coming back?
RN: The well-being of our colleagues is a top priority for us. We empower colleagues to be their best selves and to do that, we must be committed to their health and wellness. That’s why, each year, we make new investments to help colleagues manage their mental and physical well-being. At Pfizer, the importance of unleashing the power of our people means creating an environment where colleagues feel personally and professionally fulfilled, which will make us more successful than ever in delivering breakthrough medicines to patients.
Another key priority is National Health Insurance (NHI). I believe in universal healthcare and its goals, so engaging with the government and stakeholders is important to support as many patients as possible. We're also working with trade associations and business groups to make implementing these policies easier in our country.
For more than 70 years, Pfizer has been delivering life-changing breakthroughs to the people of South Africa from our Sub-Saharan Africa headquarters located in Johannesburg, and our objective is to deliver innovative treatments to patients that dramatically improve their lives. This is achieved through operational excellence.
So, my top three priorities are focusing on our people, supporting NHI, and achieving operational excellence.
EF: How does your portfolio translate into sub-Saharan Africa, what is driving growth, and what are you excited to introduce?
RN: In 2022, we launched Pfizer's Accord for a Healthier World initiative, which provides a full portfolio of medicines and vaccines at not-for-profit prices to 1.2 billion people in 45 lower-income countries. This bold initiative aims to ensure access to our products at not-for-profit prices in low-income countries. In Rwanda, Pfizer has supplied more than 1,500 treatment courses of innovative medicines and vaccines for the treatment of certain cancers and infectious and inflammatory diseases. These are now available to patients in three national hospitals.
We are actively working with seven countries who now have agreements in place to enable a seamless supply of selected products including cancer treatments, anti-infectious, vaccines and others, and we are in active conversations with many more.
Through the Accord we are working on accelerating access and building stronger health systems by strengthening supply chain logistics, advancing medical education and professional development, and pursuing more efficient and accelerated regulatory pathways. This aligns with our vision of bringing breakthroughs that change patients' lives, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
South Africa was selected as one of six global sites for the pivotal Phase 3 trial of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine, highlighting the country's scientific expertise and diverse population. This involvement is part of Pfizer’s broader commitment to enhancing clinical research across its portfolio, aiming to accelerate the delivery of medical breakthroughs to patients.
In addition, Pfizer has 24 of ongoing studies at 173 study sites in South Africa, across diverse therapeutic Areas, including Oncology, Vaccines, Infectious Diseases, Hematology and Inflammation with over 5000 study participants. The geographic clinical studies footprint expands beyond South Africa with study sites in Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. We continue to see Global involving the region in feasibilities for planned priority studies, which demonstrates our commitment to advancing healthcare in the region.
EF: How do you achieve operational excellence and psychological wellness? What strategies do you use, and what advice would you give other leaders willing to pursue this?
RN: Pfizer’s culture is driven by four core values: courage, excellence, equity, and joy. Breakthroughs start by challenging convention, especially in the face of uncertainty or adversity. This happens when we think big, speak up and are decisive.
We encourage a speak up culture and transparent two-way communication across the organization. It’s our responsibility as leaders to listen to our colleagues’ feedback to improve as an organization, and I'm proud to say that Pfizer excels in this area.
EF: Why is one dollar invested in health in Africa better than a dollar invested anywhere else?
RN: Every dollar invested in healthcare is valuable, regardless of country. Leading the sub-Saharan cluster, and serving about 60+ million people living in South Africa and many more across Sub-Saharan Africa,
We envision a future where disease doesn't win, but science does, and that every patient, regardless of where they live across South Africa and the continent, will have access to life-saving medicines, treatments, and vaccines. I emphasize to my team that patients in Johannesburg, Abuja, Lagos, Nairobi, and Rwanda all deserve the same opportunities. Every dollar we invest in healthcare worldwide is worth it because all patients deserve equal access to healthcare.
EF: What do you think is the role of technology in advancing healthcare within the region?
RN: Technology is crucial for advancing healthcare. In May we launched “Living With” app in Kenya; a new digital resource designed to support cancer patients by providing tools and resources to help them manage the challenges associated with living with cancer. This app was developed in collaboration with national patient advocacy groups, enhancing the support network for patients through accessible technology.
Over the past years, Pfizer Sub-Saharan Africa has strategically invested in and optimized resources for digital transformation. This investment in talent has been crucial in driving our digital initiatives forward.
We have leveraged various channels, including WhatsApp Business, PfizerPro, and MedSynapse to engage healthcare professionals (HCPs) through an omnichannel approach. This strategy ensures continuous, seamless communication and support for HCPs and Patients, enhancing their ability to provide quality care.
Ultimately, our digital transformation efforts are geared towards improving healthcare access and outcomes. By embracing new technologies and continuously optimizing our digital strategies, Pfizer Sub-Sahara Africa is committed to leading the way in innovative healthcare solutions and making a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of communities across the region.
EF: How do you balance the resource allocation between non-communicable and communicable diseases? How do you address the different strategies across sub-Saharan Africa?
RN: Today and in the future, we focus on creative, innovative, and scalable solutions that address local unmet needs and critical public health challenges across SSA. From addressing common diseases to rare conditions, our efforts focus on enhancing access to and affordability of our treatments. Through strategic collaborations with healthcare professionals and policymakers, we ensure that our cutting-edge medical advancements reach all those in need.
In addition, we focus on areas where we can make the greatest impact, allocating resources accordingly. We've heavily invested in the communicable disease space, which is significant given the burden of such diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. Continuing this investment is crucial, and we aim to participate in discussions with all stakeholders. We're engaging with CDC Africa to understand and support their objectives for 2030 and 2040.
We also address non-communicable diseases, like oncology, inflammation, and immunology. We're continuously evaluating and monitoring our progress to ensure we're effectively addressing both current and future healthcare issues. We remain committed to broadening access to medicines and strengthening healthcare delivery for people who need it the most.
EF: What skillsets are needed for new employees in the future?
RN: Innovation, creativity and leadership are key important skills in addition to technological literacy especially with the rise of AI.
As part of our efforts to support the economic and social transformation of the country and the region, we continue to encourage diversity, and I am happy that female colleagues constitute over 70% of our total population, while over 60% of the leadership team is women.
EF: What will 2024 be remembered for regarding Pfizer operations? What do you hope to achieve for the rest of 2024?
RN: 2024 marks a significant year for Pfizer as we celebrate our 175th anniversary. That’s 175 years of unwavering commitment to advancing global health and making a lasting impact on society. As we reflect on our journey, we take immense pride in the profound contributions we have made to medicine and technology.
Our history is filled with groundbreaking achievements that have saved lives and improved patient outcomes, from bringing forth game-changing therapies for heart health and breast cancer, to developing the first mRNA vaccine against COVID-19.
We are determined to transform the landscape of healthcare for all patients, and we’re driven by the deep belief that we are capable of improving healthcare for everyone and for that reason we continue to innovate across medicines and vaccines, manufacturing and supply chains, policies and regulations, and so much more.
We remain focused on where and how we can make the most significant impact– providing novel, scalable and sustainable access solutions; bringing our breakthroughs to address the most pressing health needs; and investing in people and in knowledge transfer to healthcare professionals and in technology to strengthen healthcare system for the most vulnerable people.
Since 2016, Pfizer has been a pivotal investor in Unjani Clinics, a non-profit network of nurse-led primary healthcare clinics serving rural and underserved communities in South Africa. Pfizer SA, along with the Pfizer Foundation, has contributed to the establishment of 8 clinics and supported 62 more with equipment. This initiative has empowered over 100 'nurse-preneurs', leading to permanent employment for at least 390 individuals and reaching over 2.5 million patients. Remarkably, over 80% of these 'nurse-preneurs' are local women. Last year, Pfizer invested R11 million to continue this eight-year collaboration, aiming to establish 9 additional clinics in eight provinces. Unjani Clinics currently operates 150 clinics, with a goal to expand to over 600 by December 2030, further providing jobs and empowering nurses to deliver essential health services in their communities.
In 2014, Pfizer and Biovac initiated a Public-Private Partnership for the local manufacturing and supply of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV 13). This partnership aims to enhance vaccine accessibility and support public health initiatives in the region by producing critical vaccinations locally.
Pfizer remains at the forefront of the national health agenda in contributing to the development of a strong healthcare system, as well as contributing to the economic and social transformation of the country through our various initiatives that not only impact health outcomes of the South African population but our economic recovery efforts as well.
