Better Health for All

Pfizer agreed to pay $25.5 million in April 2024 to settle antitrust claims over alleged collusion to delay the generic version of Effexor XR, which had led to higher drug prices.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pfizer faced backlash in October 2023 for raising Paxlovid's price to $1,390 per course, more than doubling it from $530, raising concerns about patient access to the critical treatment. Additionally, in March 2023, five Pfizer drugs were reported to have price increases exceeding inflation in late 2022, impacting affordability. In efforts to improve access, Pfizer launched PfizerForAll™ in August 2024 to simplify U.S. healthcare access through virtual consultations and prescription delivery for conditions including adult vaccinations. Its Multicultural Health Equity Collective has partnered with nonprofits since 2014, impacting 1.5 million individuals in marginalized U.S. communities by 2024 through various initiatives. Furthermore, Pfizer's 'An Accord for a Healthier World' aims to provide medicines and vaccines at cost to 45 countries, though as of September 2024, only ten countries are participating due to bureaucratic and infrastructural challenges.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

In October 2023, Pfizer agreed to pay $2 million to resolve alleged gender-based compensation discrimination, affecting 86 female employees at its New York City headquarters

. The U.S. Department of Labor found this violated Executive Order 11246 , and Pfizer committed to compensation analyses, salary adjustments, system review, and enhanced managerial training . Pfizer's 2025 pay equity study found that female colleagues globally are compensated at 99.5% of male colleagues in comparable roles , and U.S. minorities are paid at 100% parity with non-minorities in comparable roles . The overall median pay for females globally is 102.2% of males , while for U.S. minorities, it is 83.9% of non-minorities .

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

Pfizer is committed to ethical and responsible business practices, respecting human rights, and preventing adverse human rights impacts.

The company emphasizes responsible supply chain management, requiring suppliers to adhere to the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI) Principles or similar codes. Routine evaluations and onsite assessments are conducted, focusing on Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) management. Pfizer collaborates with suppliers to develop and implement corrective action plans and provides targeted training and coaching. Risk-based reviews of chemical and biological product suppliers are performed. A transparency initiative allows consumers to trace their medications' origins, which led to a 15% increase in customer satisfaction. Pfizer has a Supplier Diversity Program, aiming to increase supplier diversity spend by 50% by 2025, and partnered with over 450 diverse suppliers in 2020. Investments are made in recycled and sustainable materials in production processes.

Honest & Fair Business

Pfizer was fined £63 million by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority in July 2022 for increasing the price of an epilepsy drug.

The company also agreed to pay nearly $60 million in January 2025 to settle allegations of kickbacks to healthcare providers for prescribing Nurtec ODT, leading to false claims. These regulatory issues, totaling approximately $138.75 million in fines and settlements within the last three years, contribute to a high ESG controversy score, reflecting recurring compliance lapses. While Pfizer states it has a global anti-bribery and anti-corruption program with an Anti-Corruption Program Office, risk assessments, and tailored training, a former compliance officer filed a lawsuit in August 2023 alleging retaliation after reporting potential Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations related to excessive payments to officials in China. This lawsuit also raises concerns about the effectiveness of Pfizer's whistleblower protection policies, suggesting low trust in confidentiality despite stated strong anti-retaliation policies.

Kind to Animals

Pfizer's animal research facilities are 100% accredited by AAALAC, an international independent third-party organization, and are subject to regular unannounced inspections by the United States Department of Agriculture.

The company has a robust Animal Care and Use policy based on the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement), which mandates ethical consideration and review by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) before any animal research. This policy also extends to third-party organizations conducting research on Pfizer's behalf. Pfizer uses non-animal experiments such as mathematical models, computer simulations, in vitro biological systems, and non-invasive imaging techniques in early-stage drug discovery and where appropriate. The company is engaging in and leading cross-industry efforts to develop and refine new in-vitro testing and predictive informatics-based systems, working with other pharmaceutical companies, trade organizations, and regulators to increase the recognition and acceptance of alternative models. Pfizer also works directly with regulators and through pharmaceutical trade organizations to advocate for the recognition and acceptance of alternative testing methods.

No War, No Weapons

Pfizer has engaged in contracts with U.S. defense agencies, including a $2.01 billion contract with the U.S. Army for COVID-19 vaccines

and a $7.7 million contract from DARPA for protective antibodies . These contracts, explicitly for public health preparedness and health promotion, not weapons development or military applications, represent less than 5% of the company's annual revenue. Pfizer's core business is biopharmaceutical, and its products and activities are consistently described as humanitarian and health-focused, with no involvement in arms manufacturing or military applications. The company also provided nearly $40 million in grants to NGOs for humanitarian support in Ukraine and supported refugee initiatives.

Planet-Friendly Business

Pfizer reported total Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions of 4.63 million tCO2e in 2024, representing a 14.38% annual decline from 2023.

The company has SBTi-validated near-term climate goals, including a 46% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 from a 2019 baseline, and a 2040 net-zero target across its value chain, which is 10 years earlier than standard expectations. In 2024, 14.4% of its operational energy consumption was sourced from renewables. Water use intensity was 485.6 m3 per $1 million revenue in 2024. The waste diversion rate stood at 28.09% in 2024. In 2024, 65% of suppliers by spend had or committed to develop science-based GHG reduction targets. The company incurred 4 EHS penalties in 2024, all resolved. Pfizer transparently reports on progress, risks, and opportunities aligned with TCFD recommendations, and conducted scenario analysis identifying physical risks like water scarcity, drought, flooding, and extreme heat at its sites by 2030 and 2050 under a high emissions scenario.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

Pfizer was involved in a 1996 clinical trial in Nigeria without proper informed consent

, which led to a $75 million settlement in 2009 , demonstrating a reactive response to a severe cultural incident. Additionally, a partner's CEO made comments in 2001 implying no need to share benefits with the San people , though Pfizer later pulled out of the project . The company has established at least four formal partnerships with indigenous or local community groups , , , , including the National Council of Urban Indian Health , the Wellness Wheel Medical Clinic , an initiative for the Algonquins of Barrière Lake , and a project with BAIF in Jawhar, Maharashtra . Pfizer demonstrates strong language inclusivity, with its Blue Book available in over 30 languages and a Spanish-language website for clinical trials .

Safe & Smart Tech

In 2022, an ex-employee copied sensitive data to personal devices and cloud accounts, leading to an incident of unauthorized data use.

The company has developed Responsible AI Principles that emphasize human empowerment, equity, privacy, transparency, and accountability. It has also created digital tools to identify and mitigate potential biases in AI algorithms. Furthermore, Pfizer employs audit trails and centralized statistical monitoring for AI used in clinical trial data oversight to detect anomalies and maintain data integrity.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Pfizer proactively integrates green chemistry into research and development, developing new drugs with improved environmental factors and reducing the use of undesirable solvents.

The company has implemented numerous waste reduction initiatives, including a Green Chemistry and Biotechnology program, convening Green Chemistry teams, establishing guides for chemists, adopting an aerobic food waste processor that processes 5,000 liters of food waste weekly into compost or fertilizer, eliminating unnecessary packaging materials, exploring solvent recycling, developing waste minimization action plans, and supporting supply chain recycling efforts. Pfizer also works with suppliers to pioneer circular solutions in packaging and has implemented take-back programs with them.