Pfizer supports World Malaria Day with new campaign

NEW YORK A U.S. drug company is marking World Malaria Day with a campaign to commemorate the work done to fight a disease that kills at least 880,000 people per year.

Pfizer announced Friday that it would commemorate the work that its employees do with a “Counting Malaria Out” campaign coinciding with World Malaria Day on Saturday.

Pfizer’s portfolio of malaria drugs includes Camoquin-Plus (artesunate-amodiaquine), which treats uncomplicated malaria, and Metakelfin (sulphalene-pyramethamine), for pregnant women with the disease.

“Although there have been significant advancements over the last five years, including new money, medicines and increased energy towards fighting the disease, critical gaps still exist in treating specific population groups and delivering medicines,” Pfizer emerging markets business unit SVP medical and development Sam Azoulay said. “Pfizer has created a new malaria platform to address these gaps through its portfolio of products, scientific efforts and licensing activities.”