Pfizer Inc. is a leading global pharmaceutical company headquartered in New York, USA. Founded in 1849, Pfizer has grown into one of the world’s largest research-based biopharmaceutical firms, recognized for developing innovative medicines, vaccines, and therapies that improve and extend lives.

History Of Pfizer Pharma

Pfizer began in 1849, when cousins Charles Pfizer (a chemist) and Charles Erhart (a confectioner) teamed up to launch a small chemical business in Brooklyn, New York. Their first product, a sweet‑toffee version of the antiparasitic santonin proved popular and set the tone for future innovation.

Over the following decades, you’d see Pfizer expand steadily. In the 1860s, sales doubled during the U.S. Civil War, as Pfizer supplied the Union Army with medicines and chemicals. By 1881, they moved their headquarters to Manhattan and, by 1906, their annual sales topped $3 million.

A key turning point came in 1919, when Pfizer invented a fermentation process that made citric acid from sugar instead of fruit, a breakthrough that helped them become leaders in fermentation, and later enabled penicillin mass production during World War II.

In 1942, the company went public, and by 1944, it had opened the world’s first large-scale penicillin plant, becoming a top antibiotic producer.

From Humble Lab to Pharma Powerhouse

As years passed, Pfizer introduced some of the world’s most recognized medications and consumer products.

• Viagra
• Zoloft (antidepressant)
• Lipitor (cholesterol-lowering)
• Over-the-counter staples like Advil, Centrum, and ChapStick

Strategic Acquisitions Helped Pfizer Grow Rapidly:

Warner-Lambert in 2000 brought Lipitor into its portfolio.

Wyeth in 2009 added top brands like Advil and Robitussin.

More recently, Pfizer acquired Medivation (2016) and Seagen (2023) to strengthen its oncology and biosimilars offerings.

Pfizer’s Mission

Pfizer’s mission is to be the premier, innovative biopharmaceutical company making breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. You can see this drive in how they apply science and their worldwide resources to help improve health and well‑being at every stage of life.

They also express their purpose simply as “Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives”, meaning their work, especially in research and development, focuses on creating treatments that truly matter to you and others who need them.

Pfizer’s Values

Pfizer supports its mission through four core values that guide how they do the work and how you might see it in action:

Courage: You’ll notice they’re not afraid to take bold steps in science, even when the path forward is challenging.

Excellence: You get the sense that no detail is too small; their goal is high quality in every medicine and vaccine they develop.

Equity: They aim for fair access, making sure their breakthroughs reach everyone, not just a few.

Joy: Despite the seriousness of their work, they believe in finding energy, optimism, and fulfilment in helping people, something you can feel when you see their efforts to make healthcare better.

Pfizer’s Manufacturing Facility in Pakistan

Pfizer began serving Pakistan’s healthcare needs in 1959, when its first plant was built in Karachi’s West Wharf industrial zone. By 1961, you could see Pfizer products being locally manufactured, following an early partnership with Dumex.

This facility played a major role in delivering innovative and quality medicines across Pakistan in areas like anti-infectives, cardiology, vaccines, rheumatology, steroidal therapies, and oncology, helping make medicines accessible, safe, and effective for you and millions of others.

Recent Development: Transfer of Ownership

In 2024, Pfizer Pakistan’s manufacturing facility (located at B2 SITE, Karachi) was acquired by Lucky Core Industries (LCI). This transaction included not only the plant itself but also several well-known pharmaceutical brands and their associated trademarks, such as Ansaid, Ponstan, Ponstan Forte, Basoquin, Deltacortril, Lysovit, Corex‑D, and Mycitracin.

The deal, finalized in September 2024, received swift approval from the Competition Commission of Pakistan. It ensures continuity of production in Karachi and affirms LCI’s commitment to growth in the pharmaceutical sector.

Pfizer’s Key Focus Areas

Pfizer centers its work on research, development, and delivery across several major therapeutic fields and product types. Here’s how they structure their focus:

Internal Medicine

You can expect Pfizer to develop treatments for conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and liver disease.

Inflammation & Immunology

Pfizer looks beyond symptoms to tackle the root causes of chronic inflammatory diseases, often at a molecular level.

Oncology (Cancer Treatment)

They focus on precision medicine, tumor biology, immuno-oncology, and novel therapies targeting cancers like breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, renal, melanoma, and blood cancers.

Vaccines

Pfizer invests heavily in vaccine research and deployment, from routine immunizations to new vaccine technologies.

Rare Diseases & Pediatrics

You’ll find that Pfizer supports clinical trials and treatments for uncommon conditions and pediatric needs.

Types of Research Collaboration at Pfizer

Pfizer works with many partners to bring healthcare innovations to life. Here’s how they collaborate:

Pfizer-Sponsored Clinical Research

You’ll often see Pfizer running clinical trials in academic hospitals, top universities, or research centers. They help design the study, recruit participants, monitor safety, analyze results, and share findings. These trials test how well new treatments work in real people.

Investigator-Initiated Research (ISR)

If you’re a researcher with a good idea, Pfizer may support your study. They provide funding, drug supply, or other help for clinical or lab research that investigates approved or new uses of drugs, disease patterns, diagnostics, or screening tools.

Academic & Public Partnerships

Pfizer teams up with universities, government bodies, foundations, and other public institutions. These collaborations expand the research network and bring together different kinds of expertise.

Biotech & Startup Collaborations

If you’re part of a biotech or a startup, Pfizer may collaborate through licensing, acquisitions, early‑stage investments, or incubator programs. Recent examples include their deal with Flagship Pioneering, co-developing 10 drug candidates, and collaboration with Atavistik Bio on precision allosteric therapeutics.

Venture Capital & Innovation Models

Pfizer invests in promising young companies through programs like Pfizer Ventures and the innovative Pfizer Flagship alliance. These collaborations help turn early-stage science into medicines faster.

Strategic R&D Partnerships & AI

You might see Pfizer working with tech firms or academic groups on advanced science such as immuno-oncology, AI data modeling, or technology-driven drug discovery. Examples include a collaboration with Adaptive Biotechnologies and an AI-backed partnership with CytoReason.

Global Calls for Collaborators (CFCs)

Pfizer issues “calls for collaborators” to invite researchers worldwide to co-develop new research projects. A recent example is the global CFC for migraine studies, selected researchers work with Pfizer on study design and protocol.

Pfizer’s Top Products in Pakistan

Pfizer offers a wide portfolio in Pakistan, covering mental health, cardiovascular care, infections, sexual health, and nutritional support. Here are some of the most notable products you may come across:

Viagra 100mg tablet : Known worldwide, Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction by improving blood flow to help you achieve and maintain an erection. It is one of Pfizer’s flagship products and continues to be recognized as a trusted treatment option.

Zoloft (sertraline): A leading antidepressant for managing depression and anxiety disorders.

Lipitor (atorvastatin): A cholesterol-lowering medicine that reduces the risk of cardiovascular events.

Norvasc (amlodipine): A treatment for high blood pressure and certain heart conditions.

Diflucan (fluconazole): An antifungal medication effective for infections like candidiasis.

Dalacin C (clindamycin): An antibiotic commonly prescribed for skin, respiratory, and other infections.

Lysovit Syrup: A nutritional supplement often recommended during pregnancy or for dietary deficiencies.

What is Priapism?

Priapism is a persistent penile erection that lasts more than 4 hours and is unrelated to sexual stimulation.

Meaning

If you have an erection that won’t go away after ~4 hours, it’s called priapism. The common, ischemic (low flow) type happens when blood gets trapped in your penis, it’s usually painful, the shaft feels rigid while the tip may be softer, and it’s an emergency because the tissue isn’t getting enough oxygen.

Meaning of Priapism in Urdu 

پرائاپزم ایک طبی حالت ہے جس میں عضوِ تناسل بغیر کسی جنسی تحریک کے چار گھنٹے یا اس سے زیادہ وقت تک مسلسل تناؤ میں رہتا ہے۔ 

سادہ الفاظ میں: اگر آپ کا عضو خود بخود لمبے وقت تک سخت رہے اور ڈھیلا نہ ہو، تو اسے پرائاپزم کہا جاتا ہے۔ اکثر اس میں درد ہوتا ہے، عضو زیادہ سخت جبکہ نوک نسبتاً نرم محسوس ہو سکتی ہے۔ یہ ہنگامی مسئلہ ہے کیونکہ خون اندر پھنسنے سے آہستہ آہستہ آکسیجن کم ہو جاتی ہے اور عضو کو نقصان پہنچ سکتا ہے، جس سے بعد میں کمزوری کا خطرہ بڑھ جاتا ہے۔ ایک قسم میں خون اندر پھنس جاتا ہے اور درد زیادہ ہوتا ہے، دوسری قسم عموماً کسی چوٹ کے بعد ہوتی ہے جس میں درد کم ہو سکتا ہے، مگر دونوں صورتوں میں فوری طبی جانچ ضروری ہے۔ اگر چار گھنٹے گزر جائیں تو فوراً قریبی علاج گاہ سے رجوع کری 

What are the Types of Priapism ?

The main types of priapism are ischemic (low-flow), nonischemic (high-flow), and stuttering (recurrent ischemic).

Types of Priapism

Ischemic (low flow) priapism:

This is the common, emergency type. Blood can’t drain from your penis, so it becomes very rigid and usually painful. Cavernous blood-gas testing shows low oxygen (PO₂ < 30 mmHg), high carbon dioxide (PCO₂ > 60 mmHg), and acidic pH (< 7.25) findings that confirm poor oxygen delivery. If your erection lasts ≥4 hours, you need urgent care to prevent tissue damage and later erectile dysfunction.

Nonischemic (high flow) priapism:

This usually follows a perineal or groin injury that causes unregulated arterial inflow. The penis is often less rigid and less painful. Blood drawn from the corpora is typically bright red/oxygenated, and a Doppler ultrasound shows arterial flow features that help doctors distinguish it from the emergency low-flow type. You should still get evaluated, but it’s not usually as urgent as ischemic priapism.

Stuttering (recurrent ischemic) priapism:

These are repeated, self-limited episodes often under 3–4 hours each that tend to occur in conditions like sickle cell disease. Even though episodes stop on their own, they can progress to a full ischemic event; a urologist can help you with prevention strategies.

What are the Causes of Priapism?

The main causes of priapism are blood disorders (especially sickle cell disease and leukemia), medications (ED injections like alprostadil/papaverine, some antidepressants such as trazodone, antipsychotics, alpha-blockers, and rarely oral PDE-5 inhibitors), pelvic/perineal trauma (often causing high-flow priapism), recreational drugs (cocaine, amphetamines, alcohol), neurologic/spinal cord injury, pelvic cancers or infections, and idiopathic cases where no cause is found.

Causes of Priapism

Blood disorders:

Abnormal or “sticky” red blood cells can block penile blood outflow and trigger ischemic (painful) priapism. In sickle cell disease, about 30–45% of adult men experience recurrent (“stuttering”) episodes; even brief spells can progress, so you should discuss prevention with a specialist.

Medications ED injections:

Intracavernosal therapy is a well-recognized adult cause; too much drug or sensitivity can trap blood and lead to ischemic priapism. Recent reviews note rising cases among men using injection therapy for ED, so if you use these, you should be taught dose limits and what to do if an erection lasts ≥4 hours.

Medications Psychiatric and Other Drugs:

Trazodone and several antipsychotics (via alpha-adrenergic blockade) can impair detumescence, alpha-blockers, anticoagulants, and some antihypertensives have also been implicated. Oral PDE-5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, etc.) rarely cause priapism but are listed among potential contributors. If you start any of these and notice prolonged erections, seek care.

Pelvic or Perineal Trauma:

A blow to the groin can create an arterial fistula and cause nonischemic (high-flow) priapism that’s typically less painful but still needs evaluation. If you have a persistent semi-rigid erection after an injury, get checked.

Recreational drugs:

These substances can disturb vascular control and precipitate prolonged erections, disclose any use to clinicians so they can treat you appropriately.

Neurologic/spinal causes:

Spinal cord compression or injury can disrupt the nerve signals that end an erection, leading to episodes that require medical assessment.

Pelvic cancers and infections:

Conditions like advanced prostate cancer or prostatitis/urethritis can irritate local tissues or vessels and contribute to priapism.

Idiopathic (no identifiable cause):

Even with testing, about one-third of cases have no clear trigger so if you develop priapism, it’s still vital to be seen promptly.

Which Drug Interaction Can Causes Priapism?

Medications can affect how blood enters and leaves the penis and how your nerves end an erection. Key drug-related causes include:

Erectile-dysfunction therapies:

Oral PDE-5 pills like sildenafil, which includes Viagra 100mg tablet.
tadalafil which includes Cialis 5mg Tablet and Cialis 20mg tablet, vardenafil (rare when used correctly), and intracavernosal injections (alprostadil, papaverine, phentolamine) the injections carry the highest medication-related risk, especially with high doses or combinations.

Trazodone (antidepressant):

Well, documented to cause prolonged, often painful erections likely via alpha-1 blockade so any erection nearing 4 hours needs urgent care.

Antipsychotics, alpha-1 blockers, and blood thinners: Antipsychotics (e.g., risperidone, quetiapine) and alpha-1 blockers (for BPH/BP) can hinder detumescence; blood thinners are a rare contributor risk may rise after starting or changing a dose.

ADHD medicines:

Methylphenidate and atomoxetine have a rare but reported risk, inform your clinician if you notice longer-than-usual erections.

Recreational substances:

Cocaine (strongest link), with occasional reports involving amphetamines, cannabis/MDMA, or heavy alcohol use.

What are the Treatment Options of Priapism?

Treatment options for priapism include immediate first-aid measures (ice packs, light exercise), aspiration of blood, intracavernosal injection of sympathomimetic drugs (phenylephrine), surgical shunts, and treating the underlying cause (like blood disorders or medications).

Treatment Options of Priapism

First-aid and supportive measures

If you reach the hospital early, doctors may advise applying ice packs to the perineum or doing light physical activity (like climbing stairs) to increase adrenaline, which sometimes helps detumescence. These steps are safe initial measures but not a substitute for urgent care.

Aspiration of blood

For ischemic priapism, the standard first treatment is aspiration. A doctor inserts a small needle into the corpora cavernosa and removes trapped blood. This not only relieves pressure but also helps oxygen flow return to the tissue.

Intracavernosal sympathomimetic injections:

If aspiration alone doesn’t work, doctors inject a drug such as phenylephrine directly into the penis. Phenylephrine stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors, causing the smooth muscle to contract and blood to drain. It is considered the most effective drug treatment and may be repeated every few minutes under monitoring.

Surgical shunts

If aspiration and medications fail, the next step is surgical shunting. Surgeons create a passage between the corpora cavernosa and another vein or structure, allowing blood to exit. This is usually reserved for cases lasting more than 6–12 hours where less invasive steps have not worked.

Treatment of nonischemic (high flow) priapism

This type often resolves without aggressive treatment. Your doctor may monitor you closely, but if it persists, selective arterial embolization (blocking the injured artery with tiny coils/gel foam) is performed to reduce abnormal blood flow.

Treating Underlying Causes

If your priapism is linked to sickle cell disease, leukemia, medications, or drugs, you’ll also need treatment for that root cause such as hydration, oxygen therapy, or changing medications otherwise episodes may recur.