The legal battle will soon start with the first court hearing scheduled for December 6, as Pfizer plans to address Poland’s failure to uphold its end of the vaccine agreement.
Court Date Set for December 6
The legal battle will soon start with the first court hearing scheduled for December 6th, as Pfizer plans to address Poland’s failure to uphold its end of the vaccine agreement.
Unfulfilled Vaccine Order of 60 Million Doses
Pfizer’s lawsuit will center around Poland’s failure to accept and pay for 60 million vaccine doses, a significant number outlined in the 2021 contract with the European Commission.
Controversial Contract with the European Commission
The legal dispute brought up the controversial 2021 contract between the European Commission and Pfizer, initially ordering up to 1.8 billion vaccine doses but settling on 1.1 billion later.
Ursula von der Leyen and Albert Bourla’s Text Message Exchange
Reports suggested a controversial exchange of text messages between Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during negotiations.
Pfizer’s Position on the Lawsuit
Pfizer and BioNTech explicitly intend to hold Poland accountable for its commitment to vaccine orders and emphasize the contractual obligations within the larger EU supply agreement signed in May 2021.
Poland’s Decision to Halt Vaccine Receipts
In April 2022, Poland announced its decision to cease the receipt of additional vaccines, citing a force majeure clause due to the financial strain caused by the influx of refugees from the Ukraine war.
Financial Strain and Pandemic Improvement
The Polish health minister explained that the financial strain on the country is attributed to supporting Ukrainian refugees, and with the improving pandemic, the necessity for additional vaccines diminished.
Unsuccessful Negotiations at the EU Level
Efforts to negotiate with Pfizer at both the national and EU levels proved futile. They led to the escalation of the dispute to a legal setting.
Timing of Legal Action by Pfizer
Pfizer’s decision to pursue legal action coincided with changes in political leadership in Poland and a reduced focus in the media on the Ukraine war.
Silence from Pfizer on Legal Proceedings
Pfizer remained tight-lipped about the ongoing legal proceedings, responding to inquiries with a generic statement that gave zero clues or insight into the case details.
Impact on Poland’s Budget
The legal battle has spurred discussions about the potential impact on Poland’s budget, as the country already faces financial challenges exacerbated by the refugee crisis and pandemic-related expenditures.
Changing Dynamics in the Wake of Political Shifts
The timing of Pfizer’s legal action aligned with shifts in political leadership in Poland, prompting speculation about the potential influence of these changes on the company’s decision to pursue legal recourse.
International Jurisdiction: Brussels Court
Pfizer strategically filed the civil case in a Brussels court, asserting that the vaccine purchase contracts fall under Belgian law.
The Road Ahead for Pfizer vs. Poland
As the legal battle unfolds, uncertainties loom over the implications for both Pfizer and Poland, with the first court hearing on December 6th anticipated to set the tone for the proceedings.
The post Poland’s Refusal to Pay for Vaccines Triggers Billion-Dollar Pfizer Lawsuit first appeared on Wealthy Living.
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