Lawsuit claims Pfizer fellowship program is biased against whites, Asian-Americans

Pfizer brand is seen on this illustration taken, Could 1, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

NEW YORK, Sept 15 (Reuters) – A bunch of medical professionals that advocates in opposition to “radical, divisive, and discriminatory ideology” in healthcare sued Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) on Thursday, saying the drugmaker runs a fellowship that illegally excludes white and Asian-American candidates.

In a criticism filed in Manhattan federal courtroom, the plaintiff Do No Hurt referred to as Pfizer’s Breakthrough Fellowship Program “discriminatory on its face” as a result of solely Blacks, Latinos and Native People can apply.

It stated this system violates federal, New York state and New York Metropolis civil rights legal guidelines, in addition to a federal ban on racial discrimination by corporations that settle for reimbursements from authorities healthcare packages.

“Racial discrimination demeans us,” and Pfizer’s “open exclusion of white and Asian-American candidates is unlawful,” the criticism stated, citing opinions of two conservative Supreme Court docket justices, Clarence Thomas and the late Antonin Scalia.

The lawsuit seeks injunctions barring Pfizer from making race a consider acquiring fellowships, and stopping it from filling the 2023 class underneath present eligibility guidelines. It additionally seeks $1 in nominal damages.

In an announcement, Pfizer stated it had not reviewed the lawsuit, however had “each confidence” that the fellowship program complied with all U.S. employment legal guidelines.

“We are going to proceed to try to create extra alternative, together with via particular packages designed to solid a large web for expertise,” it added.

Do No Hurt had no speedy extra remark. The Glen Allen, Virginia-based group stated its members embody medical doctors, different healthcare professionals, medical college students, sufferers and policymakers.

Primarily based in New York, Pfizer stated the fellowship program is a part of a nine-year dedication to spice up minority illustration, and that the corporate goals to enroll 100 fellows by 2025.

Fellows obtain two years of full-time jobs after graduating from faculty, fully-funded grasp’s levels, and employment at Pfizer after finishing this system.

In an announcement on Pfizer’s web site, Chief Government Albert Bourla stated this system may help “result in parity in any respect ranges to create a vibrant tradition the place each colleague has the chance to succeed.”

The case is Do No Hurt v Pfizer Inc, U.S. District Court docket, Southern District of New York, No. 22-07908.

Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York, Enhancing by Rosalba O’Brien

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