UK Nurses Union Cuts Ties With Teva Over Pro-Palestinian Pressure

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in the UK, representing over 500,000 nurses, has announced it is severing commercial ties with Teva UK, the local branch of the Israeli pharmaceutical giant. The decision follows pressure from pro-Palestinian groups, including Nurses for Palestine. As a result, Teva will no longer be a commercial partner of the RCN and will not sponsor a professional conference on migraines and headaches scheduled for late October in London. The conference itself will proceed as planned.

Carmel Obuyl, Chair of the RCN Council, stated that a further due diligence review found that some of Teva's activities had been subject to legal sanctions and public criticism. The RCN believes these issues are inconsistent with its values and that it should only engage with companies that represent the values of the nursing profession. Pro-Palestinian organizations hailed the decision as a victory for the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

Activists are now urging the Royal College of Pharmacists to also end its collaboration with Teva, cancel its sponsorship of their annual conference, and remove the company's booth from the event. Teva UK is a major supplier to the UK's National Health Service (NHS).

In addition to the political claims, the RCN also cited legal proceedings and fines imposed on Teva in the US and Europe in recent years for various business matters.

Teva expressed disappointment with the RCN's decision, warning against the politicization of the healthcare system. The company stated it wishes to continue dialogue with the RCN and values its long-standing partnership, emphasizing that the healthcare system functions best when focused on patients and not politicized.