Pfizer’s CEO Optimistic About Working With Trump Administration, RFK Jr.

• Pfizer’s CEO Albert Bourla stated that he is had dinner with Trump’s well being secretary decide, RFK Jr.
• Bourla stated he was “cautiously optimistic” in regards to the new administration.
• Kennedy is now near securing the well being secretary place, pending a Senate vote.

Pfizer’s CEO stated that he had dinner with President Donald Trump’s decide for well being secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In a Tuesday earnings name, CEO Albert Bourla stated Trump had launched him to Kennedy, a longtime vaccine critic, and the duo ended up having dinner collectively.

Bourla didn’t specify when he met with Kennedy, however stated they’d talked about matters they might agree on and “not on the issues that we clearly disagree, just like the vaccines.”

“And people are issues in persistent ailments, in cardiovascular ailments, and extra importantly, in most cancers, which is one thing that could be very, very excessive within the thoughts of the president. And additionally it is very within the thoughts of Mr. Kennedy,” Bourla instructed traders.

Bourla added that he was “cautiously optimistic” in regards to the new administration.

“I feel there are a number of alternatives that most likely outweigh the dangers that now we have with the novel change that we are going to see from the Trump administration,” he stated.

Bourla stated that he thinks the administration wouldn’t prefer to see “one other well being disaster,” and is optimistic that “they are going to be very, very prudent with the whole lot they attempt to do.”

Pfizer, one of many world’s largest pharmaceutical corporations, produces medicines and vaccines.

Kennedy, a former environmental justice lawyer, ran for president himself earlier than dropping out of the race in August. He then aligned himself intently with Trump, who, after the elections, tapped him to steer the Division of Well being and Human Providers.

Kennedy has additionally established a brand new MAHA — Make America Wholesome Once more — motion, which has known as to take away vaccine mandates and foyer in opposition to fluoride within the water system.

Kennedy’s robust stance on vaccines

Kennedy has taken a troublesome private stance on vaccines.

In 2023, Kennedy vowed to slash funding for federal well being businesses that regulate childhood vaccines if elected president.

And in Might 2021, he was one in all two individuals who collectively petitioned the Meals and Medication Administration, urging it to “instantly revoke” emergency use authorizations that allowed youngsters below 16 to take the Pfizer and different COVID vaccines.

However shortly after Trump’s November win, Kennedy instructed NBC that he wouldn’t “take away anyone’s vaccines,” however would allow them to select in the event that they needed to be vaccinated.

On Tuesday, he moved nearer to turning into well being secretary after successful the essential assist of Louisiana Sen. Invoice Cassidy, a former doctor.

Kennedy’s nomination cleared a key hurdle and handed the Senate Finance Committee, who voted alongside get together strains to maneuver it ahead. His nomination is now slated for a full Senate vote.

Representatives for Kennedy and Pfizer didn’t reply to requests for remark from Enterprise Insider, despatched exterior common enterprise hours.