Global bully goes to Guatemala

This entry reprints a column by Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman from November 16, 2005, called "Global bully goes to Guatemala." It reports on the pressures being put on Guatemala by the US government, on behalf of large drug companies. The article correctly singles out Pfizer, which is the most important advocate of an aggressive US trade policy on matters concerning intellectual property protection on medicines in poor countries. The current dispute involving the Philippines should be seen in this wider context.

NYT on Pfizer manipulation of shareholders

In this interesting entry in the informative collaborative blog, Health Care Renewal, Dr. Roy Poses provides a nice summary summary of the New York Time's excellent reports on the ways that Pfizer has manipulated the firms that are supposed to represent share holder interests, so that Pfizer CEO Hank McKinnell can get a steep increase in pay and an $83 million pension, despite the fact that the share price has fallen by 46 percent during his tenure as CEO. The stories referred to, both by Gretchen Morgenson, are:

Pfizer and the Proxy Adviser,Published: April 21, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/21/business/21proxy.html

and Investors vs. Pfizer: Guess Who Has the Guns?, April 23, 2006

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/23/business/yourmoney/23pfizer.html

Having previously worked for a firm that advises Pension Funds, I found these reports very interesting and troubling. Here is Poses's summary:

http://hcrenewal.blogspot.com/2006/04/imbalance-of-power-between-company.html
Health Care Renewal
"An Imbalance of Power Between Company Owners and Managers": The Case of Pfizer Inc.
Roy M. Poses MD, Monday, April 24, 2006

Why we are creating a boycott Pfizer blog

Because, Pfizer has sued government officials in the Philippines to prevent access to less expensive versions of pfizer drugs. Of course, there are other reasons too.... and people will discuss them, and also how to boycott Pfizer's consumer products.

Here are some (no perscription medicines are listed) of Pfizer's products that one could boycott.


Actifed®
Benadryl®
Bengay®
Caladryl®
Corn Huskers®
Cortizone®
Desitin®
Doxidan®
Dramamine®
e.p.t® Pregnancy Test
Efferdent®
Effergrip®
Emetrol®
Fresh'n Brite®
Gelusil®
Hemorid®
Kaopectate®
Lavacol®
Listerine PocketMistTM
Listerine PocketPaks®
Listerine® Antiseptic
Listermint®
Lubriderm®
Luden's®
Micatin®
Myadec®
NasalCrom®
Neosporin®
Pacquin®
PediaCare®
Plax®
Polysporin®
Progaine®
Proxacol®
Purell®
Rogaine®
Rolaids®
Sinutab®
SudaCareTM
Sudafed®
Tucks®
Unicap®
Unisom®
Visine®
Wart-Off®
Zantac®