Evidence of meeting #54 for Public Accounts in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was contracts.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Pfizer Canada first and then Pfizer globally.
President, Pfizer Canada
I will get back to you. Unfortunately, I don't have that information with me right now, but I can submit that to the clerk.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
You're the president of Pfizer Canada, and you don't know if you've ever retained McKinsey either way.
Fabien Paquette Vaccines Lead, mRNA Vaccines and Antiviral Portfolio, Pfizer Canada
If I may speak on this one, I could clearly say that we never worked with McKinsey related to any contracts for vaccines or any other contracts in Canada.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Has Pfizer Canada retained McKinsey in recent years, Mr. Paquette?
Vaccines Lead, mRNA Vaccines and Antiviral Portfolio, Pfizer Canada
I'm not aware of any contract that we have with McKinsey outside of what we can do in my area, which is for vaccines.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
I'm sorry. Are you not aware of anything outside of that area, or are you not aware of anything in that area?
Vaccines Lead, mRNA Vaccines and Antiviral Portfolio, Pfizer Canada
I'm not aware of whether we've worked, or not, with McKinsey. I know that in vaccines we haven't for the contracts. That's for sure.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Okay.
It has been reported in the media that McKinsey has done work for Pfizer. It's been reported that it was simultaneously advising governments on their COVID responses. It has also been reported that McKinsey was advising a provincial government specifically on the negotiation of agreements. Therefore, I would appreciate a follow-up in writing to the committee.
Also, staying with Pfizer representatives, in 2009, Pfizer and one of its subsidiaries paid over $2 billion in the United States in a health care fraud settlement, resolving civil and criminal liability related to Bextra. I think instances like this underline, for me, the importance of accountability, oversight and not taking a “just trust us” approach when it comes to companies like yours.
How much has Pfizer paid in Canada in the last 20 years in settlements related to false claims or faulty products?
President, Pfizer Canada
I am not aware of any settlements that we've paid in Canada. I can bring that back to the clerk if there are some, but there are none that I'm aware of.
I am glad that you raised that because it's a matter of trust.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Yes, it is a matter of trust.
I'm just trying to understand. You said that you're not aware of any settlements paid in Canada. There have been multiple billion-dollar-plus settlements related to Pfizer's products in the United States. Is the reason settlements haven't been paid in Canada that legal action hasn't been taken, that our laws are different or that those drugs weren't marketed here? What's happening with Pfizer Canada that's different?
President, Pfizer Canada
I don't have the answer to that question, but I can follow up with that.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Okay, so you're not aware of what Pfizer may have done in terms of work with McKinsey. You're not aware of settlements in relation to faulty products or false claims made in Canada in the last 20 years.
You have worked for Pfizer for decades, if I understand correctly, Ms. Sampson.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Okay. Thank you.
Are there indemnification clauses in these contracts related to COVID-19 vaccines? Could you share a bit with us about the indemnification clauses?
President, Pfizer Canada
I am not at liberty to speak about the clauses specifically in the contract that have not been publicly communicated. What I can say is that the purpose of indemnity clauses overall is to ensure that patients and consumers have a pathway to—
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
To be fair, the purpose of indemnification clauses is so that you don't get sued if there's a problem. That's what indemnification means.
Can you just confirm that there are indemnification clauses in these agreements? It sounds like you won't tell us about them.
Conservative
Conservative