ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of an “automatic shelf” registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) using a “shelf” registration process. We may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus from time to time in one or more offerings, and selling securityholders may offer such securities owned by them from time to time. You should carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered by us and/or selling securityholders. Each time we sell securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of that offering, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered. If this prospectus is inconsistent with the prospectus supplement, you should rely upon the prospectus supplement. In addition, the prospectus supplement may also add, update or change the information contained in this prospectus.
If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you.
Wherever references are made in this prospectus to information that will be included in a prospectus supplement, to the extent permitted by applicable law, rules or regulations, we may instead include such information or add, update or change the information contained in this prospectus by means of a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, through filings we make with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or by any other method as may then be permitted under applicable law, rules or regulations. For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to a prospectus supplement may also refer to a free writing prospectus unless the context requires otherwise.
References in this prospectus to “Pfizer,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” are to Pfizer Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise stated or the context so requires.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, as well as the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, may include forward-looking statements made within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements by using words such as “will,” “may,” “could,” “likely,” “ongoing,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “assume,” “target,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “goal,” “objective,” “aim,” and other words and terms of similar meaning, or by using future dates in connection with any discussion of, among other things, our anticipated operating and financial performance, business plans and prospects,in-line products and product candidates, including anticipated regulatory submissions, data read-outs, approvals, performance, timing of exclusivity and potential benefits of Pfizer’s products and product candidates, strategic reviews, capital allocation, business-development plans, manufacturing and product supply and plans relating to share repurchases and dividends. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, business plans and prospects, our acquisitions and other business development activities, the disposition of the Hospira Infusion Systems net assets, prospective products or product approvals, future performance or results of current and anticipated products, sales efforts, expenses, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings, plans relating to share repurchases and dividends, government regulation and financial results.
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