Pfizer's strategy to support Vietnam's healthcare transformation

Pfizer continuously researches and develops comprehensive solutions for Vietnamese people, including vaccines, breakthrough treatments, and strategic partnerships, according to General Director Darrell Oh.

Vietnam is undergoing a period of transformation as the government promotes innovation in science and technology through Resolution 57-NQ/TW dated 22/12/2024, issued by the General Secretary (Resolution 57). Concurrently, the Ministry of Health is implementing reforms, focusing on primary healthcare and preventive strategies.

Contributing to this journey, Darrell Oh, General Director of Pfizer Vietnam, shared the company's new development strategy and how it supports Vietnam's healthcare transformation.

- For many years, Pfizer has been a globally renowned brand in healthcare innovation. How do you translate that legacy into your strategy in Vietnam?

- Vietnam is entering a new era of development, where healthcare is not only a pillar of social welfare but also an economic driver.

In addition to Resolution 57, Vietnam has issued the National Strategy for Pharmaceutical Industry Development to 2030, with a vision to 2045, aiming to contribute 20 billion USD to the GDP. To achieve this, Vietnam needs to accelerate healthcare innovation.

With 175 years of experience, capabilities, and R&D foundation, we hope to support Vietnam in realizing this vision. For over 20 years, Pfizer has not only contributed to bringing a range of medicines and vaccines closer to patients but also aims to support the Vietnamese pharmaceutical industry to reach global standards, thereby promoting comprehensive economic growth.

- Faced with an increasing burden of diseases, including respiratory illnesses, chronic diseases, and an aging population, the Ministry of Health is focusing on prevention. What is Pfizer's contribution to this goal?

- Every year, millions of people worldwide are hospitalized due to pneumonia, RSV, influenza, and Covid-19. Vietnam, with its subtropical climate, regularly faces the burden of these respiratory diseases, not just during pandemics.

Given this challenge, prioritizing proactive preventive healthcare is essential. The amended Law on Pharmacy, effective from 1/7, along with the draft Law on Disease Prevention being developed by the Ministry of Health and expected to be submitted to the National Assembly in the October session, clearly demonstrate the commitment to strengthening preventive healthcare at the national level.

We are striving to research and develop comprehensive solutions, including new vaccines, breakthrough treatments, and strategic partnerships to expand access.

With extensive experience in the respiratory field, deep expertise in biology, and vaccine development capabilities, Pfizer hopes to address urgent challenges, especially respiratory diseases, thereby positively impacting hundreds of millions of people.

Our main investment areas include:

Preventive solutions: enhancing preventive capabilities to reduce the burden of infectious diseases such as Covid-19, pneumococcus (a leading cause of pneumonia and other infections like meningitis and sepsis), meningococcus (causing meningitis and sepsis), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR): We support hospitals and policy groups in promoting the rational use of antibiotics, training, and diagnostics, as this is not just a clinical challenge but an urgent health issue.

Accessibility: Pfizer strives to accelerate the provision of new vaccines and life-saving treatments. In Vietnam, we work closely with relevant partners to raise disease awareness and expand equitable access, especially for high-risk groups such as the elderly, those with chronic diseases, or those with weakened immune systems. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we collaborated with global and local partners to supply vaccines, contributing to protecting public health.

- Can you elaborate on how Pfizer improves access to healthcare services for Vietnamese patients?

- We are focusing on the following six factors:

Expanding access to preventive and treatment portfolios: quickly bringing new therapies to Vietnam, especially in respiratory, oncology, internal medicine, and AI/AF (anti-infective, anti-fungal) drugs.

Policy consulting: as a member of PharmaGroup, we actively collaborate to provide policy advice to expedite the marketing authorization approval process.

We welcome the Ministry of Health's inclusion of the mechanism of referencing, recognizing, and acknowledging in the licensing process in the amended Law on Pharmacy, and hope this will be a tool to help Vietnamese patients access new drugs and vaccines sooner.

Patient support programs: we invest in these programs to help patients overcome financial barriers and access innovative treatments.

Public-private partnerships: Pfizer has established long-term partnerships with leading hospitals and medical associations such as Cho Ray, Bach Mai, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, VNVC, etc., to support capacity building for healthcare professionals and improve healthcare initiatives. This ensures advanced treatments are effectively applied in clinical practice and reach the patients who need them most.

Equipping the community with knowledge: we expand access to healthcare through programs that raise disease awareness. The goal is to help patients understand risks and treatment options, enabling them to proactively communicate with healthcare professionals and access appropriate treatment and prevention methods early.

Talent development: this is Pfizer's long-term commitment to the sustainable development of the healthcare industry. Recognized as a "Best Place to Work" for many consecutive years, we foster a culture that emphasizes goals, inclusion, development, and direct contribution to the national strategy for developing high-quality human resources.

- In this era of growth, what opportunities and challenges does Pfizer Vietnam see, and what will you do to contribute to elevating the country's healthcare?

- In this era of growth, one of the opportunities for Vietnam to make breakthroughs is the pharmaceutical industry development strategy, aiming to become a pharmaceutical hub of ASEAN.

With a market of nearly 700 million people in the region, Vietnam has the potential to become not only a key pharmaceutical supplier but also a research and development (R&D) center, promoting innovation. This brings both economic benefits and aligns with the long-term goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045, based on science, technology, and innovation.

However, Vietnam is currently in its "golden population" period, which will only last for the next 10 years. I believe we should invest early in infrastructure, innovation, and access in healthcare so that Vietnam can leverage this demographic advantage to build a resilient and comprehensive healthcare system for the future.

The pharmaceutical industry, being a research and development (R&D) intensive field, plays a crucial role in this transformation.

Pfizer, as a pioneer in global pharmaceutical innovation, is actively supporting this vision by participating in policy dialogues, strategic forums, and collaborating with the Ministry of Health and partners to raise Vietnam's healthcare standards to a global level.

In carrying out these activities, my colleagues and I never view them merely as healthcare investments, but as contributions to building a future of outstanding development for Vietnam.