Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) may have won over shareholders with its recent decision to pare back research and development spending but could be shortchanging them in the long run, according to its former research chief. Pfizer, the world's largest drugmaker, said in February it would cut its planned research spending in 2012 by as much as one-fourth. The drugmaker is laying off more than 2,000 researchers and closing a prominent site in Sandwich, England, where it created the Viagra erectile dysfunction drug. In an interview with Reuters, John LaMattina, who led Pfizer's research organization from 2004 to 2007, said he was surprised by Pfizer's planned cuts.
