Rx&D and Pfizer Canada Inc. Announce the Creation of the John Helou Scholarship with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D)

MONTREAL, Nov. 17, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) and Pfizer Canada Inc. are pleased to announce the creation of the John Helou Scholarship, with the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada.

The scholarship will be administered by the MS Society, and will be given to two students who are affected by MS or have a parent with MS. The scholarships will be given in support of these two students' who will be entering a full-time undergraduate program in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) field at a university (Canadian or Foreign).

Quick Facts

• The scholarship will be formally launched in early 2016, with applications taking place over the course of the following months and the disbursement made to the recipients in Fall 2016.
• The value of the each scholarship is set at $25,000. Pfizer Canada Inc. is contributing $25,000, and Rx&D is contributing $25,000, making the total value of the John Helou Scholarship $50,000.
• The scholarship will be disbursed in phases over the duration of the students' respective program and upon meeting key milestones towards the completion of their degrees.

Quotes

"I've seen first-hand the impact of MS on a family. The goal of this scholarship is to help in a meaningful way families living with this degenerative disease." – John Helou, Immediate Past Chair, Rx&D and President, Pfizer Canada Inc.

"I am pleased that Rx&D is making a contribution to the post-secondary education of the next generation of innovative leaders, whose lives have been touched by a challenging illness." – Russell Williams, President, Rx&D

"The MS Society of Canada is honoured to have the opportunity through the John Helou Scholarship to support the educational aspirations of young people affected by MS." - Yves Savoie, President and CEO, MS Society of Canada.

About Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies

Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies is the national association representing the voice of Canada's innovative pharmaceutical industry. We serve our membership by advocating for policies that enable the discovery, development and delivery of innovative medicines and vaccines to improve the lives of all Canadians. We support our memberships' commitment to being a valued partner in the Canadian healthcare system. We represent more than 50 companies investing over $1-billion in R&D annually, fuelling Canada's knowledge-based economy, while contributing over $3-billion overall to Canada's economy. Guided by our Code of Ethical Practices, we work with governments, private payers, healthcare professionals and stakeholders in a highly ethical manner.

SOURCE Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D)

Image with caption: "Left to right : François Coupal, President of the Executive Committee, Quebec Division, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, John Helou, President, Pfizer Canada Inc. and Louis Adam, Executive Director, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (CNW Group/Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151117_C7694_PHOTO_EN_547194.jpg

Sarah Douglas, Media Relations, Rx&D, Telephone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]