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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Pfizer Offers Free Lipitor, Viagra to Jobless

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

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(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.

In this Jan. 25, 2009 file photo, a bottle of Pfizer's Lipitor is shown.
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.
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.
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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4 comments
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Fondue
May 14, 09 10:38 AM CDT
I can understand the Lipitor, but Viagra? Reply
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Yourself
May 14, 09 10:52 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... Reply
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Reader64481089
May 14, 09 11:18 AM CDT
Keep smiling, screwing America so when the baby boom comes so will the end of the program and when you purchase all those diapers and stuff then the economy will BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Reply
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TerrifiedCitizen
May 14, 09 1:11 PM CDT
Pfizer...Keeping the masses happy! Reply
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