Corporitics

Spotlighted Corporation

Pfizer, our spotlighted corporation for this week, just settled charges that it paid millions in foreign bribes for $60 million. 

Pfizer Inc, a pharmaceutical company best known for Lipitor, Viagra, Celebrex, and many others, paid bribes in 8 countries in order to boost sales and obtain regulatory approvals, according to CNN.

Back at home, Pfizer has donated over $16 million which makes them the 55th largest political donor dating back to 1989. They have also spent over $127 million on lobbying during the same time frame. Some of the items they were lobbying for included opposition to attaching a prescription drug benefit to Medicare, opposition to generic drugs entering the domestic market, banning lawsuits against manufacturers of body implants, and opposition to a free trade agreement with New Zealand. 

CEO Ian Read has donated $29,800 with 70% going to Republicans and 30% going to Democrats.

Pfizer's interest in obtaining property in New London, CT was the impetus behind the Supreme Court case Kelo vs. New London (which dealt with the issue of imminent domain). They later decided to move their operations to a nearby town.

The EPA has stated Pfizer is among the top ten companies in America with the most numerous emission sources. 

Pfizer is also a member of ALEC, scored 100 on the HRC Corporate Equality Index, and was listed as 100 Best Working Mother Company.