Pfizer gives evidence to Science and Technology Committee
14 February 2011
The Science and Technology Committee takes evidence from pharmaceutical firm Pfizer on its decision to close its research and development facility in Sandwich, Kent.
Also giving evidence are the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Witnesses
Monday 28 February 2011, Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
3.15 pm
- Dr Richard Barker, Director General, Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
- Dr David M Hollinshead, Royal Society of Chemistry
4.00 pm
- Dr Olivier Brandicourt, President and General Manager of Pfizer’s Primary Care Business Unit, and co-chair of the company’s Portfolio Strategy and Investment Committee
- Dr Rod MacKenzie, Senior Vice President and Head of Worldwide Research for PharmaTherapeutics Research and Development
- Dr Ruth McKernan, Senior Vice President and Site Head, Sandwich, and Chief Scientific Officer for Pfizer Regenerative Medicine
- Richard Blackburn, Managing director, Pfizer UK
On announcing the Committee's decision to take evidence, the Chair of the Committee, Andrew Miller MP said:
"Life sciences have been identified by both this and the last Government as a priority in the UK. 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 to put to Pfizer and the Government and I look forward to the evidence sessions."
The Committee will also take evidence from Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science, at 10am on Wednesday 2 March.