Pfizer Offers Free Lipitor, Viagra to Jobless

70 drugs available to those who lost jobs since Jan. 1

By the Associated Press

Posted May 14, 2009 10:27 AM CDT

(AP) – Pfizer is unveiling a new program that will let people who have lost their jobs and health insurance keep taking some of its medications—including Lipitor and Viagra—for free for up to a year. The world’s biggest drugmaker will provide more than 70 of its prescription drugs free to Americans who lost jobs since Jan. 1 and have been on the drug for 3 months or more.

The announcement comes amid massive job losses caused by the recession and a campaign in Washington to rein in health-care costs and extend coverage. The move could earn Pfizer some goodwill in that debate after long being a target of critics of industry prices and sales practices. The program also likely will help keep those patients loyal to Pfizer brands.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

In this Jan. 25, 2009 file photo, a bottle of Pfizer's Lipitor is shown. (AP Photo)

In this Jan. 25, 2009 file photo, a sign at Pfizer world headquarters is shown in New York. (AP Photo)

In this 2005 file photo shows 40mg tablets of the drug Lipitor. (AP Photo)

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Everybody knows now a neighbor, a relative who has lost their job and is losing their insurance. People are definitely hurting out there. Our aim is to help people bridge this point.
- Dr. Jorge Puente, Pfizer head of pharmaceuticals outside the US and Europe

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COMMENTS

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Showing 2 of 2 comments

Yourself

May 14, 2009 3:52 AM CDT

WOOOOHOOOO, now we can keep our addiction going strong even while unemployed! The good news, is that being unemployed while on Viagra will have a side effect of a higher birthrate and therefor a whole new generation of people to put their money into things like social security, thus helping pay for our current generations retirements. The downside, a small thing called addiction...

Fondue

May 14, 2009 3:38 AM CDT

I can understand the Lipitor, but Viagra?

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health care • health insurance • Pfizer • Viagra • unemployment • Lipitor • pharmaceutical industry • jobless • Jay-ZTV

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Pfizer Offers Free Lipitor, Viagra to Jobless