Pfizer has a long history of innovation in healthcare and research, across the world and in Australia.

In 1956 Pfizer commenced operations in Australia with just six people: an accountant, a medical director, two employees responsible for handling sample storage and two secretaries. Many of the diseases that significantly impacted the lives of Australians in the 60s and 70s can now be managed through medication because of the hard work and commitment of these first Pfizer employees, and the many colleagues who have since followed in their footsteps.

Today, Pfizer Australia employs colleagues in a variety of fields including science, medical, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, sales and marketing, health economics, research, and development.

Pfizer in Australia

1849 Founding of Pfizer in New York, USA
1956 Incorporation of Pfizer Australia
1959 Opening of West Ryde (Sydney, Australia) head office and manufacturing facility
1977 Launch of sustained-release drug ‘Eryc’ (enteric-coated pellets of erythromycin)
1979 Acquisition of G-Chem
1980s Discover and launch of the world’s first patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device
1984 Acquisition of David Bull Laboratories
1988 Triple rollout of major new medicines: Zoloft®, Norvasc® and Zithromax®
1993/94 Formed JV with CSIRO to develop new drugs under Keating Govt’s Factor ‘f’ Scheme 
1997 Launch of Lipitor®
2003 Acquisition of Pharmacia (including the manufacturing facility in Perth)
2004 Acquisition of CSL Animal Health
2006 Sale of Pfizer Consumer Health
2009 Acquisition of Wyeth
2012 Sale of Pfizer Nutrition
2013 Spin off of Pfizer’s Animal Health unit, Zoetis
2014 Acquisition of Baxter’s vaccines portfolio
2015 Acquisition of Hospira
2016 Pfizer Australia’s 60th anniversary
2018 Pfizer Australia’s head office moves to Barrack Place, Sydney CBD
2019 Spin off of Pfizer’s Consumer business into a Joint Venture with GSK
2020 Spin off of Pfizer’s Upjohn business to create a new company with Mylan called Viatris