The Committee decided to hold oral evidence on Pfizer’s decision to close its research and development facility at Sandwich in Kent. Andrew Miller MP, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, said:
"Life sciences have been identified by both this and the last Government as a priority in the UK. Pfizer’s announcement that it will be closing its research and development facility in Kent is deeply worrying. It is not only a cruel blow for the Pfizer employees—many are highly skilled—but it also raises questions about UK plc’s ability to use science to drive the economy. My Committee is contacting Pfizer and David Willetts MP. We have urgent questions that need answering."
Having heard all the oral evidence the Chair wrote to David Willetts on 16 March. The Minister replied on 25 March (PDF 55 KB). The Committee did not publish a report.
Oral evidence
- Wednesday 2 March 2011
Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science
- Monday 28 February 2011
Dr Richard Barker, Director General, Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, and Dr David M Hollinshead, Royal Society of Chemistry; Richard Blackburn, Managing director, Pfizer UK, Dr Olivier Brandicourt, President and General Manager of Pfizer’s Primary Care Business Unit, and co-chair of the company’s Portfolio Strategy and Investment Committee, Dr Rod MacKenzie, Senior Vice President and Head of Worldwide Research for PharmaTherapeutics Research and Development, and Dr Ruth McKernan, Senior Vice President and Site Head, Sandwich, and Chief Scientific Officer for Pfizer Regenerative Medicine.
Written evidence