Sky News has been informed by Pfizer’s chief executive that new COVID variants, which might not be vaccinated, pose a greater threat for global public health than the monkeypox epidemic.

Concerns have been raised about a rise in monkeypox cases in 21 countries, and 78 in the UK. However, Albert Bourla stated that it is unlikely that this will lead to a pandemic.

He said, “We were alerted as everyone else when the cases increased, because we didn’t have any cases suddenly, but I’m not concerned right now.”

“We are closely monitoring and watching. This situation is unlikely to be transmissible, so it is very difficult for it become a pandemic. There are vaccines that work. While we are keeping our cool and monitoring the situation closely, I believe that the true problem right now is Covid.

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Bourla spoke as he revealed a revolutionary program to offer all Pfizer’s patent-protected drugs at a cost-price to 45 countries with low incomes.

Pfizer, a German biotech company BioNTech, was the first to create a functioning and approved coronavirus vaccination.

Bourla stated that the pandemic highlighted both the importance of the pharmaceutical sector and its larger responsibility.

23 lifesaving medicines are available for free

Pfizer believes the initiative will provide affordable medicines to 1.2 billion people and close the gap in access to treatment for populations living in the developing world.

Pfizer will not profit from the sale of 23 medicines that treat rare and inflamed conditions, cancers, and infectious diseases.

“I believe the world has realized the value that a vibrant sector in life sciences can bring to society,” said Mr Bourla.

“The life sciences industry is made up of academia, the private sector and academia, as we saw with Oxford AstraZeneca, for instance, so we partnered with BioNTech a biotech company.

“But it also reminded me that even though we have these weapons and these tools to fight diseases, we still need to find ways to get them in ways that people can afford.

Pfizer monitoring variants

Bourla stated that Pfizer was closely monitoring the development of Covid variants and would adapt the vaccine if necessary. He also said that Pfizer would submit new formulas to the regulators in the UK and Europe in due course.

“I don’t have any concerns about a manufacturing capacity. We can build manufacturing capacities that cover the entire world. We are now watching the variants. We see that some are smarter than others and can evade pharmaceutical perfection.

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When asked how long they would continue to take COVID vaccines, the man replied: “I don’t know what the future holds but there are many variants that could affect it and I believe the virus will be around for a while longer.

“We will have all the tools we need to return to normal life. I don’t believe that is because of the restrictions we have to place on our lives.”