Pfizer CEO criticized the US presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden in a memo.
In a memo sent to employees, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla described the US presidential debate as “disappointing.” He explained that the political discourse that took place about the coronavirus outbreak and vaccine development is “undercutting public confidence.”
“Once more, I was disappointed that the prevention for a deadly disease was discussed in political terms rather than scientific facts,” he said.
Moreover, Bourla reiterated that Pfizer believes it had a responsibility to step up to develop a Covid-19 vaccine. He mentioned the drugmaker's ambitious goal to distribute 100 million doses by the end of 2020.
“Now, we are approaching our goal and despite not having any political considerations with our pre-announced date, we find ourselves in the crucible of the U.S. Presidential election,” he wrote. “In this hyper-partisan year, there are some who would like us to move more quickly and others who argue for the delay. Neither of those options is acceptable to me.”
He also said that the process of developing a coronavirus is moving “at the speed of science” and that the company would resist political pressure. Pfizer mentioned the pressure of the “billions of people, millions of businesses and hundreds of government officials that are depending on us,” he said.
"Our priority is the development of a safe and effective vaccine to end this pandemic. I have a duty to Pfizer’s 171-year history to honor our legacy of discovering and manufacturing high-quality medicines. We will never cut a corner. Pfizer’s purpose is simple: “Breakthroughs that Change Patients’ Lives.” It’s our North Star," he wrote.
He continued: "I enjoy a robust policy debate, but I’m not a politician. I’m a scientist, business leader, husband and father, friend and neighbor who cares deeply about the integrity of this potential vaccine. The amplified political rhetoric around vaccine development, timing and political credit is undercutting public confidence. I can’t predict exactly when, or even if our vaccine will be approved by the FDA for distribution to the public."
"But I do know that the world will be safer if we stop talking about the vaccines’ delivery in political terms and focus instead on a rigorous independent scientific evaluation and a robust independent approval process."
Debate
During the debate, Biden criticized Trump’s early management of the coronavirus pandemic. Biden said the government only made the public aware of the outbreak’s severity only when it started to affect the stock market.
“Do you believe for a moment what he’s telling you in light of all the lies he’s told you about the whole issue relating to Covid?” Biden asked. “He still hasn’t even acknowledged that he knew this was happening — knew how dangerous it would be back in February — and he didn’t even tell you,” he said.
“He panicked, or just looked at the stock market, one of the two,” Biden added. “Because guess what? A lot of people died and a lot more are going to die unless he gets a lot smarter or a lot quicker.”
