Former Health Minister Rogobete explains his intervention regarding the 13 billion Euro dispute between Pfizer and Romania

Former Romanian Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete made important statements regarding the financial dispute between the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and the Romanian state, which has caused a great public outcry. The legal process, initiated due to a debt exceeding 13 billion Euro that the state owes the company stemming from vaccination agreements made during the pandemic period, came back on the agenda with the company initiating enforcement proceedings. In particular, Pfizer's attempt to have a block placed on Romatsa's (Romanian Air Traffic Services) accounts revealed the seriousness and international dimension of the issue. In his statement, Rogobete emphasized that during his ministry tenure, he made intensive efforts to resolve the issue not only through legal but also diplomatic channels.

Rogobete stated that he took various steps and initiatives to minimize the negative impact of the debt in question on the state budget while serving as Health Minister. In this context, he described in detail the contacts they made in Washington, the capital of the USA, together with the Minister of Finance at the time, and their search for a reasonable solution that would be in Romania's favor. The officials, who tried to strike a balance between the company's claims and the state's obligations, tried to manage the political and financial crisis by continuing bilateral talks while the process was ongoing. However, Rogobete expressed that he did not have information about what stage these diplomatic initiatives and talks reached after his departure from the ministerial post, and that he could not be sure of the transparency of the process.

The former minister explicitly stated in clear terms that he had no information on whether the talks held with Pfizer since his departure from office continued, if there were any changes, or in what direction the strategy evolved. Despite this lack of information, he emphasized his belief that for the public good, Romania should under no circumstances close dialogue channels or leave the table, and that the continuity of defense mechanisms is essential. Additionally, he warned that with the increase in political tensions in the country, this technical and legal dispute unfortunately carries the risk of turning into a tool of competition between political parties.

The course of the legal process gained a new dimension with the enforcement proceeding initiated by Pfizer before the European Air Traffic Management Organization (EUROCONTROL). The company initiated legal action against Romatsa for the addition of interest to the principal claim of approximately 3,4 billion RON (Romanian Lei) and litigation costs of approximately 18,5 million Euro in exchange for its receivables. Given EUROCONTROL's position managing financial flows in the aviation sector, Pfizer's choice of this path brought concerns that Romania might experience difficulties in international payments. Although it is stated that Romatsa's official accounts have not been blocked so far, legal processes are ongoing and the threat over the company's financial table persists.

Rooted in a lawsuit opened in Brussels at the beginning of 2024, this dispute is based on the vaccine supply contract signed between Pfizer and Romania during the pandemic process. Romania had committed to the purchase of 28 million doses of vaccine as part of the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic, and approximately 550 million Euro was planned to be paid in return for this contract. However, as the pandemic rapidly lost its effect and case numbers decreased, Romanian officials decided not to accept the delivery of doses that had been ordered in advance but would not be used, deciding not to fully implement the contract. This decision not to implement gave rise to the company's claims for compensation and receivables, forming the basis of today's financial crisis.