Pfizer Official Calls for Partnerships To Promote Health, Reduce Medical Costs

Companies, employees, providers, governments and the health care industry must partner to "shift [the] focus and actions from health care spending to investing in health," Patrick Kelly, president of the Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceutical Division, told business leaders on Thursday at a Detroit Regional Chamber conference, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Kelly said, "We have spent more than enough on health care and far too little on health itself." He added, "We are going to have to focus on the value of health if we are to realize the full value of health care."

Pfizer has entered into several partnerships to develop health plans that promote wellness and prevention, the Free Press reports. In addition, Pfizer this year launched Healthy Directions, which integrates wellness and prevention programs in the company's health insurance plan. Pfizer CEO Hank McKinnell also has joined a group of CEOs to launch the Leading by Example program, which encourages business leaders to invest in work force health, according to the Free Press.

Shirley Musich, assistant director of the Health Management Research Center at the University of Michigan, said that companies must do more than offer employees wellness and prevention programs. According to Musich, companies also should offer incentives to ensure that employees enroll and remain in such programs (Norris, Detroit Free Press, 9/23).