Pfizer 2011 Annual Review | Pfizer: the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical company

We strive to ensure that all Pfizer products are produced to the highest standards, in compliance with all applicable regulations, and are always available when needed.

We select external partners, including the suppliers who help us produce active ingredients, secure packaging and entire lines of our medicines, based on a number of factors including competitive pricing, but price is never the determining factor. We apply rigorous systems of quality assurance, including inspections and audits of both Pfizer-owned facilities and other facilities in our supply network, and insist that quality systems include direct oversight of the "chain of custody" of suppliers. Our dedicated quality assurance colleagues, located in our major markets, speak local languages, understand the local business environment and closely follow the operating practices of our suppliers. Our oversight of quality extends to the evaluation of process changes, deviations and trends, and onsite reviews during production.

Environment, Health and Safety Within the Supply Chain

For our supply chain, we seek to ensure that our chemical and biological product suppliers demonstrate strong performance in the management of environment, health and safety (EHS) risks. We have established an external supply EHS support function to that end. We check our suppliers by onsite evaluations (139 in 2011); EHS evaluation results are used when deciding to select a supplier. Where improvement is needed, we help suppliers reduce risk with targeted training and coaching, for example to upgrade facilities and management systems.

In 2011, we established a partnership with the Institute of Sustainable Communities (ISC), an organization committed to advancing sustainability in developing countries through education and training. We also participate in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI) as an active supporter of collaborative industry efforts to improve performance in supply chain management.