Pfizer participates in International Congress of Pan Arab African Council of Ophthalmology

Accredited by the American Academy of Continuing Medical Education (AACME), and taking place from 7-10 April 2005, the scientific program for PAACO will feature special lectures, courses, symposia, workshops and video presentations, focusing on prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of blinding diseases as well as concepts in continuous medical education and the latest medical advances in ophthalmics.

Pfizer representatives will tackle specific issues such as the effective control of diseases like glaucoma, which affects an estimated 66 million people worldwide, and trachoma, the leading cause of preventable blindness. According to experts, almost 6 million people have become blind as a result of trachoma and another 540 million are at risk of blindness or severe visual impairment.

Pfizer also hosted a satellite symposium on 8 April at Sheikh Rashid Hall A, Dubai International Convention Centre from 7.00 pm to 9.30 pm.

"Pfizer's efforts to develop breakthrough medication based on uncompromised science and its unwavering support of international eye care programs and the healthcare professionals behind them, has enabled the pharmaceutical giant to become an authoritative voice in the fight to eliminate preventable blindness," said Akef El Maghraby, M.D., President of PAACO. "Attendees at this year's conference are certain to benefit from the insight and expertise of Pfizer's representatives."

Pfizer has played a key role in the worldwide development of ophthalmics. Since its launch in 1996, more than 100 million prescriptions have been written for Xalatan, a monotherapy and the number one prescribed treatment for elevated eye pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma. Xalacom - a combination of Xalatan and Timolol, is also available for patients who need more than monotherapy

Years of research and the worldwide success it has had with Xalatan/Xalacom has enabled Pfizer to introduce a strong pipeline of ophthalmology medicines into the market including recently FDA approved Macugen, a promising compound to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the developed world.

Since 1998, Pfizer's antibiotic Zithromax has been the mainstay treatment deployed by the International Trachoma Initiative, a global effort to eradicate blinding trachoma.

"With the leading treatment for patients with open angle glaucoma, endorsements from a number of world-renowned eye care programs, and a strong commitment to the development of new treatments, Pfizer has emerged as a global leader in ophthalmics," said Dr. Ahmed El Hakim, director, external affairs & policy, Pfizer.

"The worldwide elimination of preventable blindness is no longer a distant dream, but one that Pfizer intends to make a reality," he concluded.