Rep. France Applauds Pfizer for Launching Green Chemistry Pharmaceuticals Worldwide

HARTFORD – Representative Mike France (R-Ledyard) congratulates Pfizer on a significant ecological initiative that began right here in Connecticut in 2001 and is now having worldwide effects. According to their web page, Pfizer is the first pharmaceutical company to appoint a full-time leader in Green Chemistry. One of their latest initiatives is to reduce the need for precious metals in chemical reactions, continuing their “Green Journey” to develop environmentally sustainable practices from an entrepreneurial perspective.

Green chemistry is distinguished by its use of enzymes instead of solvents to formulate medications. Not only does this process reduce carbon-dioxide emissions and the use of water, toxic material and precious metals, but it is estimated to save the industry $65.5 billion – most of which will be in energy costs – over the next five years.

“As a State Representative with a number of constituents working at Pfizer’s research headquarters in Groton, I applaud the multinational corporation for their success in launching green chemistry pharmaceuticals across the globe,” said Rep. France. “Their private sector solution to the ever-challenging need to increase efficiency has proved a prosperous example of why government subsidies are not required to achieve progress in companies becoming more ‘green’.”

According to Pfizer’s Green Chemistry Manager, the company did not receive federal or state subsidies for the internal green chemistry program.

“Pfizer’s Connecticut branch has become a national leader in environmentally-friendly pharmaceutical production, and did so without government funding,” said Rep. France. “This gives me hope that, through diligent work in the private sector to develop innovative solutions, environmentally sustainable practices may be identified and implemented across every industry.”