| Oncologists commend
Pfizer initiative on cancer
By Sun News Publishing
Saturday,
June 23, 2007
Experts in the study and management of body tumours (cancer)
have commended the world’s biggest pharmaceutical company, Pfizer for increasing
access to modern drug therapy for Nigerians.
Commenting on the company’s
recent introduction of two novel cancer drugs, Aromasin for the treatment of breast
cancer and Campto for the treatment of colorectal cancer, and the inauguration
of Pfizer Oncology in the East, Central and Anglo-Lusophone West Africa (ECAWA)
to coordinate the company’s cancer programmes in the region, the oncologists,
at a scientific symposium sponsored by the company, say Pfizer’s programme
would impart positively on the lives of cancer patients in Nigeria and boost the
efforts of the care givers.
In his speech, Professor Clement Adebamowo,
a professor of surgery and Consultant Surgeon at the University College Hospital
(UCH), Ibadan commended the company for introducing the new drugs. According to
him, cancer is a chronic disease which affects people in the middle class who
are economically active and in the prime of their lives. When not adequately treated,
the loss to the society is in multiple.
“We need to have a better
working relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and the medical team.
Such collaboration, of course, has to be ethical and well organized. Having the
major companies selling the drugs for cancer in the country increases your confidence
in the product you tell your patients to buy. It is often difficult to monitor
cancer patients.
You may not know when they are not doing well so, when
major players on oncology are on ground they will have interest in promoting the
practice and the quality of practice will improve,” he further said.
Also
speaking at the product launch, Prof. S.N.C. Anyanwu, a Professor of Surgery at
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State commended the
company for its programmes on oncology in the country.
“I’m
happy to hear that Pfizer is starting a regional oncology programme. This is good
for us in Africa . I recall the company once sponsored me to the World Cancer
Conference in Washington .. This is good for the practice in Nigeria ,”
he said.
Earlier, Pfizer’s Managing Director Nigeria/Regional Director
East, Central and Anglo-Lusophone, West Africa (ECAWA) region, Miss Ngozi Edozien,
had reiterated the company’s commitment to Nigeria ’s economy, healthcare
delivery system, research and management of cancer and creating awareness about
the disease.
“Most people do not know Pfizer as an oncology company
but it has been part of our very wide and diverse portfolio of products and takes
about 22% of the total research and development budget of Pfizer.
We want
to be the company that contributes to individual treatment in this area. We will
begin first with awareness and hope to continue with different individual patient
groups such as the Bloom Foundation.
We are developing novel treatments
that address 70% of cancer – breast, colorectal, stomach, prostate cancers
among others. As we introduce the products we will also bring materials to support
the patients, their families and care givers.” Miss Edozien assured the
oncologists that Pfizer would give them the needed support to strengthen their
relationship with their patients and their ability to provide care.
“As
we develop the products categories, we’ll be working on patient information
materials that would include disease information and also develop materials that
will allow you to provide the type of information necessary at health management
location and be able to properly discuss the disease with the patients,”
she further told the oncologists. |
