Madam, - Mary Raftery writes passionately about her concerns regarding Pfizer's support of The Health Squad in her column headed "What does sponsorship really cost?" (Opinion, October 7th). She can take comfort that Pfizer has never sought nor received any editorial input to The Health Squad whatsoever. Nor is that our purpose in supporting the programme.
The Health Squad is simply one of the vehicles Pfizer has used to promote healthy lifestyle choices, improved diet and greater exercise. We believe good health is far more desirable than a reliance on medicines - irrespective of who makes them - or health systems, no matter how effective they are. That is the same advice we give our own employees.
We have promoted these ideas at various health summits, public seminars and health screening programmes for years. We endorse the benefits of healthy living and healthy ageing, and did so before obesity became the national issue it is today. More than two years ago Pfizer publicly proposed a "chocolate tax" - a small government levy on junk foods - whose proceeds would be invested in health promotion.
I share Ms Rafferty's concern about the integrity of health programming. But I also support any balanced health promotion that informs and educates people about how they can improve their own health and wellbeing.
I know from personal experience that teenage alcohol abuse, childhood obesity and healthy aging need much more in the way of innovative and targeted health promotion.
The Department of Health and Children has done a good job but these issues require support from every corner.
If enough of us are involved, that support will yield shared economic and social benefits as the overall level of health improves. - Yours, etc.,
DAVE SHANAHAN,
Managing Director,
Pfizer Healthcare Ireland,
Ballymount Road Lower,
Dublin 12.