On July 28, 2006, Jeffrey Kindler replaced Hank McKinnell as CEO of Pfizer. That day the Pfizer stock price closed at $26.11. With the stock trading today at a little more than $17, it would seem that shareholders have lost a significant amount of their investment. Nonetheless, Kindler is doing well.

Billy Tauzin announced today that he will be stepping down as President and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) at the end of June 2010.

PhRMA's 990 Tax Return Form, Schedule J-1 shows the amount Tauzin was compensated in 2008:

Base compensation: $2,055,445
Bonus & incentive compensation: $692,875
Other reportable compensation: $159,412
Deferred compensation: $1,556,960
Nontaxable benefits: $11,465

Total: $4,476,157

In the United States, tax exempt non-profit organizations are subject some some requirements for financial disclosure via the IRS form 990, which is available to the public. The disclosure requirements cover most U.S. based trade associations, including the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the trade association for some 28 "member" companies.

At the end of a dramatic debate that began yesterday, the Executive Board (EB) of the World Health Organization (WHO) agreed to hold a special consultation on the report of the WHO Expert Working Group (EWG) on R&D Financing. A face-to-face meeting will be held on May 13, a few days before the 63rd WHA begins on 17 May. There will also be opportunities for web submissions on the EWG report. In addition, Dr.

Congratulations on your record setting re-election as chairman of the SCCR, and for your excellent guidance this week.

With regard to the draft questionnaire, KEI suggests it be expanded to address exceptions found in Article 44 of the TRIPS, regarding alternatives to injunctions.

KEI supports the proposal by Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay for a treaty for reading disabled persons, which is correctly inclusive in terms of disabilities covered.

Using the U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), KEI has obtained the daily schedule of Ambassador Kirk, from March 20 to May 1, 2009. KEI has separately asked the USTR to routinely as a matter of transparency post this information on the USTR web page.

The response to the follow is presented below in two pdf files:
March 20 to April 14, 2009
April 15 to May 1, 2009