Pfizer’s CEO Reflects on a Year of Discovery and What He Thinks Critics Get Wrong About Vaccine Pricing
Albert Bourla talks about his employees’ effort to develop a COVID-19 vaccine in record time, Pfizer’s friendly rivalry with Moderna, and what’s next for the pharmaceutical giant
By Stephanie Mehta
To mark the year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla penned an open letter, reflecting on a year of loss and discovery. He praised his employees and the pharmaceutical industry for its ability to innovate and collaborate. (Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech received the first authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020.)
Bourla spoke with Fast Company about the anniversary of the pandemic, responded to criticisms of his company’s plans to increase the price of the vaccine over time, and discussed what’s next for Pfizer. Edited excerpts follow.
Fast Company: For Pfizer, this anniversary is more than a milestone.
Albert Bourla: During anniversaries, you have a time to reflect on what happened, particularly in the first anniversary. It is always quite emotional, but no one, I think, would have…
