Pfizer Ophthalmics Unveils New Visionary Practitioner Recognition Award Program

ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pfizer Ophthalmics, a new business unit of Pfizer Inc , in close partnership with two not-for-profit glaucoma associations, will sponsor and launch the Visionary Practitioner Recognition Award Program at the 2003 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) meeting taking place November 15-18 in Anaheim, California. The program will award a total of $100,000 to partner organizations which will award pioneering ophthalmologists in the United States who have created initiatives that have enhanced the quality of patient care in their community, through community outreach and patient education.

"Pfizer is deeply committed to acknowledging and working with those who have helped in the fight against blinding eye diseases," said Michael Widlitz, Vice President, U.S. Medical - Respiratory, Allergy, Oncology and Ophthalmology Groups. "By sponsoring this program, we hope to strengthen and reaffirm the Pfizer Ophthalmics commitment to community ophthalmologists and patient management." The partnering organizations will announce award recipients in 2004.

Pfizer Ophthalmics is committed to a future where no one goes blind due to ocular diseases and disorders. To achieve this goal, Pfizer supports several initiatives including the fight in Asia and Africa against a leading cause of blindness - trachoma, the Pfizer for Living Share Card(TM) to help those in need pay for Pfizer prescriptions, and rewarding those in the field of ophthalmic care for their continuing efforts towards improving the standard of eye care.

The Pfizer Ophthalmics product line includes XALATAN(R) (latanoprost ophthalmic solution), the most prescribed treatment for elevated eye pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Pfizer Ophthalmics is also studying the use of Macugen (pegaptanib sodium), a Phase III clinical trial drug. Macugen is being developed in partnership with Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, a New York-based biopharmaceuticals company specializing in the discovery, development and commercialization of novel ophthalmology therapeutics and devices.

XALATAN is the only ophthalmic prostaglandin approved by the Food and Drug Administration for first-line treatment of elevated eye pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The first-line indication is supported by 5-year XALATAN safety data submitted to the FDA.

Administered once daily, XALATAN is believed to lower IOP by increasing the rate at which fluid flows out of the eye. The most commonly reported side effects in eyes of patients treated with XALATAN for 6 months in clinical studies include blurred vision, burning and stinging, eye redness, the feeling that something is in the eye, eye itching, darkening of eye color, and irritation of the clear front part surface of the eye. XALATAN can slowly increase the amount of brown eye color, can darken eyelids and eyelashes, and increase the growth of eyelashes in the treated eye. Color changes can increase as long as XALATAN is administered; eye color changes are likely to be permanent.

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures and markets leading prescription medicines, for humans and animals, and many of the world's best-known consumer brands.

XALATAN(R) is a registered trademark of Pfizer Inc. Please see full prescribing information for Xalatan at http://www.xalatan.com/

Health care providers and patients can call toll free for additional information: 1-888-691-6813.

CONTACT: Sri Ramaswami of Pfizer Inc, +1-212-733-8734

Web site: http://www.xalatan.com/