Pfizer appoints head of emerging markets and established products

Pfizer has announced the appointment of Dr Olivier Brandicourt as president and general manager of its emerging markets and established products business units.

Dr Brandicourt has held senior positions at Pfizer across a range of disciplines and most recently served as president and general manager of the primary care division.

He will take over his new role on June 1st 2012, succeeding David Simmons, who is leaving Pfizer to becoming chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the contract research organisation Pharmaceutical Product Development.

Meanwhile, Dr Brandicourt's former position will be filled by John Young, the current primary care regional president for Europe and Canada.

Ian Read, Pfizer's chairman and CEO, said: "Olivier is both a physician and proven business leader who understands the many challenges of today's changing industry and healthcare landscape."

Pfizer remains the largest pharmaceutical company in the world, with first-quarter revenues for 2012 coming to $15.4 billion (9.83 billion pounds).