Kigali, July 2022 – The Ministry of Health initiated the implementation of the “Accord for a Healthier World” agreement signed during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos between the Government of Rwanda and Pfizer Inc, an American multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation. 

Under the agreement, Pfizer Inc. is committed to providing a non-profit basis, its patent-protected medicines and vaccines which Rwanda obtains normally from the United States and the European Union. 

The implementation of this accord was marked by discussions with 100 doctors on Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (PAXLOVID) clinical data, indications, usage and on ensuring health equity in Rwanda. 

In his remarks, the Minister of Health, Doctor Daniel Ngamije pointed out: “We expect these discussions to equip medics with the necessary knowledge about the efficient use of Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (PAXLOVID) medication as that will help in the effective and early management of Covid-19, hence will reduce its severity”. 

Pfizer Inc. Medical Director of East and Anglo West Africa, Dr. Kodjo Sarch said, “Under the Accord, Pfizer Inc. has committed to provide 23 patented medicines and vaccines that treat infectious diseases, certain cancers, rare and inflammatory diseases on a not-for-profit basis to Rwanda as well as to 44 other lower-income countries”. 

“Making these medicines and vaccines more readily available has the potential to treat non-communicable and infectious diseases that claim the lives of nearly one million people each year in the lower-and middle-income countries as well as chronic diseases that significantly impact quality of life for at least half a million more”.

Other engagements with Pfizer Inc. in this Accord include, but are not limited to identification of areas for partnerships in other medical specialties such as Oncology, Internal Medicine, molecules used in treatment rare and inflammatory diseases in education, diagnostics, therapeutics and research and establishment of a telemedicine consultation platform between Rwanda medical doctors and other experts who are using these drugs worldwide.