MONTREAL, CANADA - Pfizer Canada's pharmaceutical division is among Canada's best companies to work for, says a closely watched annual survey by Report on Business Magazine. The magazine, published by The Globe and Mail newspaper, uses an extensive screening process conducted by Hewitt Associates, to compare employment conditions at thousands of companies throughout Canada. The results are an eagerly awaited annual event for employees and employers alike.

The "Best 50 Companies to work for in Canada" is the only national study that is based primarily on the opinions of the employees. The survey gauges employee sentiments, organizations' employment and people practices, and the perspectives of the organizations' leadership team. In fact, several parts of the survey dealt with employees' perceptions of their CEOs, their relationships with co-workers and their opportunities for advancement.

"We have always felt that Pfizer Canada's approach to encouraging leadership has made it a special place to work," said President and CEO Jean-Michel Halfon. "That's why we are honoured to be ranked number 15 on this year's R.O.B. list."

"This ranking is an exciting extension of our leadership commitment to our employees," Halfon added. "We recognize that people are the cornerstone of Pfizer's success and are extremely proud of our team."

Pfizer recognizes leadership as a core company value. In fact, Pfizer said a strong leadership platform, combined with the dedication and support of all its employees, were the key factors in determining the company's strong placing in the rankings. The firm is proud of its long-standing conviction that leaders empower those around them by sharing knowledge and rewarding outstanding individual efforts. Leaders are recognized as those who step forward to achieve difficult goals, envisioning what needs to happen and motivating others to achieve excellence.

Pfizer sets itself apart from other companies in the survey in a number of ways. At Pfizer, management believes that employees' work environment contributes to their success and, as a result, the company created a place of work suited to diverse individual needs. Some examples of the services provided include a subsidized cafeteria with take-home meals; daycare on the premises; an on-site YMCA-supervised fitness centre and a fitness subsidy; a flexible benefits package that enables employees to create their own plan designed to meet their needs; and a maternity pay top-up. Additional employee services include onsite banking, dry cleaning, an on-site doctor, and a comprehensive wellness program.

With its head office in Kirkland, Quebec, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Group (PPG) is responsible for bringing Canadians a number of important prescription medicines that play a key role in the treatment of a wide range of illnesses and conditions. These medicines are helping to shape a society in which people live longer, healthier and more productive lives. PPG's complete product portfolio includes five of the world's 20 top-selling medicines. Current marketed Pfizer Canada prescription products include: ARICEPT, CELEBREX, NORVASC, LIPITOR, SPIRIVA, VIAGRA and ZITHROMAX.

Pfizer Canada is one of the top 15 investors in Canadian research and development, investing more than $132 million in 2001. As a proud member of IMAGINE, Canada's national program to promote corporate giving, volunteering and community support, Pfizer Canada is one of the top 10 corporate charitable donors. In 2001, Pfizer Canada's Community Investment Program invested more than $9 million with 600 projects and organizations across Canada.

Global headquarters of Pfizer Inc are located in New York City, where the company was founded in 1849. In the 1940s, Pfizer was the first company to discover how to mass-produce the wonder drug penicillin, launching Pfizer into the modern pharmaceutical era. Pfizer Canada employs more than 2,300 persons across Canada. In July, 2002, Pfizer Inc and Pharmacia Corporation jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement providing for Pfizer to acquire Pharmacia, strategically positioning the company for long-term leadership in the rapidly changing pharmaceutical industry.

Pfizer, Inc.

Pfizer, Inc.

Founded in 1849, Pfizer is the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical company taking new approaches to better health. We discover and develop innovative medicines to treat and help prevent disease for both people and animals. Through consistent, high-quality manufacturing and distribution operations, our medicines reach patients in 180 nations. We also partner with healthcare providers, governments and local communities around the world to expand access to our medicines and to provide better quality healthcare and health system support. At Pfizer, our colleagues work every day to help people stay happier and healthier longer and to reduce the human and economic burden of disease worldwide.

More from Pfizer, Inc.