UK Nursing Union Cuts Ties With Teva Amid Pro-Palestinian Pressure

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in the UK, representing over half a million nursing staff, has decided to terminate its commercial ties with Teva UK, the British arm of the Israeli pharmaceutical giant. This decision follows a pressure campaign orchestrated by pro-Palestinian organizations.

As a result of this move, Teva will no longer serve as a commercial partner or sponsor of the RCN's nursing leadership conference on migraine and headache services, scheduled for later this month in London. The RCN communicated its decision in a letter from Carmel O'Boyle, Chair of the RCN's governing council, to the organization 'Nurses for Palestine'.

O'Boyle stated that a further review of Teva's activities revealed involvement in legal sanctions and public criticism, which conflicted with the RCN's values. She emphasized the importance of commercial partnerships aligning with the nursing profession's principles. The decision was influenced by pressure from 'Nurses for Palestine' and UKHPRC, which had been lobbying UK health bodies to end their collaboration with Teva.

These organizations hailed the RCN's decision as a victory for the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Activists are now targeting the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, urging it to end its partnership with Teva, cancel its sponsorship of the annual conference, and remove its exhibition booth.

Teva UK is a major supplier to the UK's National Health Service (NHS). The company expressed disappointment with the RCN's decision, affirming its intention to continue dialogue with the union. Teva highlighted its long-standing collaboration with the RCN and its contributions to supporting healthcare professionals and patients in the UK. The company cautioned against politicizing the healthcare system, stressing that patient welfare should be paramount.