Pfizer research Sandwich, Kent

MPs to question Pfizer management over R&D closure

pharmafile | February 25, 2011 | News story | Research and Development Kent, Pfizer, Sandwich, Science and Technology Select Committee, research and development 

Senior Pfizer executives will appear before MPs next week to answer questions on the closure of the company’s Kent research base.

Pfizer UK managing director Richard Blackburn and Dr Olivier Brandicourt, president and general manager of Pfizer’s primary care business unit, are among those called before the Science and Technology Select Committee.

Pfizer will exit the facility in Sandwich in 2013 with the loss of 2,400 jobs and MPs say the move raises questions about the UK’s ability to harness science to the economy.

Select committee chair Andrew Miller said: “Pfizer’s announcement that it will be closing its research and development facility in Kent is deeply worrying. 

“It is not only a cruel blow for the Pfizer employees – many are highly skilled – but it also raises questions about UK plc’s ability to use science to drive the economy.

“We have urgent questions that need answering,” he added.

The Select Committee will also cross-examine Richard Barker, director general of UK industry association the ABPI, and science minster David Willetts next week.

Willetts says Pfizer’s R&D site can still have a “great future” after the US pharma giant’s exit, but in a recent Commons debate he acknowledged it posed a “very serious challenge” to the UK.

He said the coalition would look to maintain the site’s research capabilities, saying: “We are absolutely committed to the future of that site and believe that it should be possible for a range of different research organisations to be active on it.”

The site should “have a great future”, Willetts said, adding that he is working with a government-backed taskforce to ensure this can be achieved.

The Science and Technology Committee will cross-examine Pfizer and the ABPI over the site’s closure on Monday 28 February and a further session has been scheduled with Willetts on Wednesday 2 March.

Ben Adams

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