(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced that its Board of Directors has approved giving shareholders an advisory vote on executive compensation. The vote will first occur at Pfizer’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2010 and will take place on a biennial basis thereafter.

“The Board’s action continues Pfizer’s long tradition of seeking and responding to shareholder input on compensation and other corporate governance topics,” said Matthew Lepore, Pfizer’s vice president and chief counsel for Corporate Governance. “The advisory vote is an additional means of obtaining feedback from our shareholders about executive compensation, which is set by the Compensation Committee of the Board and is designed to link pay with performance. This feedback will supplement our ongoing investor outreach activities on a broad range of corporate governance topics, which will not diminish with the adoption of this advisory vote.”

Timothy Smith, Senior Vice President Environment, Social and Governance Group for Walden Asset Management, and Stephen Viederman of The Christopher Reynolds Foundation said, “We commend Pfizer for taking this step. Once again, Pfizer has exhibited leadership in responding to investor concerns, a proactive approach to investor communications, and strong corporate governance.” The Christopher Reynolds Foundation sponsored a shareholder proposal regarding advisory votes on executive compensation at Pfizer’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Pfizer Inc: Working together for a healthier world™

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world’s best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as the world’s leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more about our commitments, please visit us at www.pfizer.com

Wyeth is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer Inc. The merger of local Wyeth and Pfizer entities may be pending in various jurisdictions and is subject to completion of various local legal and regulatory obligations.

More information is available at www.pfizer.com.

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