Uploaded March 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla spoke with Fuqua School of Business Dean Bill Boulding on January 31, 2023. The talk was part of the school’s Distinguished Speakers Series.
More information about the series can be found at https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/dss
00:00 Intro
01:12 Veterinary medicine background
02:28 What was your biggest challenge in taking more business responsibilites, beyond just veterinary medicine?
06:54 How did living in different countries and cities teach you how to draw people together and bring out their best?
09:27 What challenges did you face in creating an inclusive work environment at Pfizer?
13:12 Can you explain why virtual work was sucessful during the pandemic, but now you want workers back in the office more often?
17:51 Did it create wear and tear on Pfizer employees to hear misinformation about COVID vaccines?
23:49 What can we do to combat disinformation?
24:49 Has Pfizer devoted extra resources to fight againt disinformation?
26:23 Has it shocked you to see the role of public health become politicized?
28:16 Regarding COVID vaccines, what was most critical in your ability to successfully partner with governments around the world?
30:36 How does it impact Pfizer if the U.S. government mandates a single common standard for a vaccine?
32:32 How will you navigate pricing when U.S. ends the pandemic emergency conditions?
34:37 Pharma pricing restrictions and the Inflation Reduction Act.
38:09 How do you make people understand that Pfizer is more than just a "COVID" company?
40:30 What promise does messenger RNA technology have for Pfizer?
42:27 Describe the challenge of knowing when to weigh in on social issues.
45:28 Tell us about Pfizer's commitment to ESG, for example sustainability bonds.
48:46 What advice would you give to your younger self?
51:07 What advice do you have for students? What has gotten you where you are today?
53:32 Conclusion
Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla spoke with Fuqua School of Business Dean Bill Boulding on January 31, 2023. The talk was part of the school’s Distinguished Speakers Series.
More information about the series can be found at https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/dss
00:00 Intro
01:12 Veterinary medicine background
02:28 What was your biggest challenge in taking more business responsibilites, beyond just veterinary medicine?
06:54 How did living in different countries and cities teach you how to draw people together and bring out their best?
09:27 What challenges did you face in creating an inclusive work environment at Pfizer?
13:12 Can you explain why virtual work was sucessful during the pandemic, but now you want workers back in the office more often?
17:51 Did it create wear and tear on Pfizer employees to hear misinformation about COVID vaccines?
23:49 What can we do to combat disinformation?
24:49 Has Pfizer devoted extra resources to fight againt disinformation?
26:23 Has it shocked you to see the role of public health become politicized?
28:16 Regarding COVID vaccines, what was most critical in your ability to successfully partner with governments around the world?
30:36 How does it impact Pfizer if the U.S. government mandates a single common standard for a vaccine?
32:32 How will you navigate pricing when U.S. ends the pandemic emergency conditions?
34:37 Pharma pricing restrictions and the Inflation Reduction Act.
38:09 How do you make people understand that Pfizer is more than just a "COVID" company?
40:30 What promise does messenger RNA technology have for Pfizer?
42:27 Describe the challenge of knowing when to weigh in on social issues.
45:28 Tell us about Pfizer's commitment to ESG, for example sustainability bonds.
48:46 What advice would you give to your younger self?
51:07 What advice do you have for students? What has gotten you where you are today?
53:32 Conclusion
