Achievements & Awards

Pfizer takes the issue of gender empowerment and community engagement very seriously. Underpinning the success of the South African operation are its core values which project a strong culture of workplace diversity and commitment.
- Leigh Gunkel-Keuler, Public Affairs, Policy & Communications Director

2011 brought an array of accolades to add to Pfizer South Africa’s Biopharmaceutical Division’s growing list of achievements. Milestones and achievements during the period 2009-2011 include:

• Top Gender Empowered Award in Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals;
• Top Women Awards - sponsor of the Science, Biotechnology & Healthcare category;
• The highest score in the Customer Care section of the PMR.Africa Golden Arrow Award -
• Pharmaceutical Company: Manufacturers 2010;
• Eighth overall ranking in the SA Leading Managers programme, 2010-2011;
• Awarded the ‘Excellence in Leadership’ seal for SA Leading Managers 2011-2012;
• Finalist in the 9th Annual National Business Awards 2011; and
• Rated a Best Employer in the Chemical & Pharmaceutical category in South Africa for the period 2011-2012

While continuing to focus its attentions on bringing to market vital medicines to communities as a measure of its true success, the company is proud of these accolades, all of which are an indication of its success and standing in the South African market.

National Business Awards

Members of the Leadership Team pictured at the National Business Awards (NBAs)

2011 has also been a very active year for the company in terms of progressing its reputation in the South African business community and was nominated in three categories in the June 2011 National Business Awards, namely:

• Employment Equity
• Diversity in the Workplace
• Innovation through Technology

It was clear that with over 68% of its current workforce being female (all four Business Units), coupled with the fact that women constitute 55% of its executive leadership, the company’s commitment to gender empowerment would be reinforced by its sponsorship of the Biotechnology, Healthcare & Science Award, as part of the Top Women event in September 2011. The company was proud to host Dr Precious Matsoso, DG for Health, as well as Nombuyiselo Mokoena, DDG for Science & Technology, Corporate Services, on the night of the gala event.

Pfizer South Africa’s Biopharmaceutical Division is proud to recognise those women making significant strides in the pharmaceutical / healthcare sector.

Members of the Leadership Team pictured at the Top Women Event

In June 2010, Pfizer South Africa’s Biopharmaceutical Division was honoured as the top pharmaceutical company for healthcare excellence at the 8th Annual National Business Awards in Johannesburg, further confirming the efforts made by the company to continuously strive for excellence in all areas of business.

Deloitte Best Company to Work for 2011-2012

Brian Daniel pictured with CRF CEO, Steven Veenendaal

With its continued focus on its colleagues as its core asset, Pfizer South Africa’s Biopharmaceutical Division participated in the Best Company to Work For survey, and was awarded top spot as a Top Performing Company in the Chemical and Pharmaceutical category, as well as obtained fifth place overall in the medium company size category (301 - 2500 full time employees).

South Africa’s Leading Managers 2011-2012

Pfizer South Africa’s Biopharmaceutical Division was awarded the Leadership Excellence Seal after participating in leadership, management and colleague review surveys, further cementing the company’s dedication to cultivating strong, socially responsible leaders.

PMR.africa Awards

Further to the 2010 achievement, in 2011, as part of PMR.africa’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) category, conducted during July, August and September, saw Pfizer South Africa’s Biopharmaceutical Division receive the prestigious Diamond Arrow Award in the Business Sector: Pharmaceutical Companies - Manufacturers. Scoring 4.10 out of a possible 5.00, the company’s commitment to its work in the area of CSR won it the highest possible rating and accolade from PMR.africa.

Top Women Publication

Brian Daniel pictured with Ms Precious Matsoso, DG for Health

The company also participated in the 2011 Top Women Publication. The Pfizer write-up featured a perspective on leadership, top company priorities and its commitment to gender empowerment.