UK Royal Pharmaceutical College Cuts Ties With Israeli Drug Giant Teva
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
The Royal Pharmaceutical College of the UK has ended its sponsorship agreements with Israeli drugmaker Teva Pharmaceuticals due to concerns about the company's activities. This follows a similar decision by the Royal College of Nursing. Activists, including healthcare professionals, urged the colleges to apply ethical scrutiny to partnerships with Israel. Teva expressed disappointment, stating healthcare should not be politicized, while acknowledging its history of regulatory issues and fines.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The Royal Pharmaceutical College of the UK terminated sponsorship agreements with Teva Pharmaceuticals.
- The decision was made after a review of Teva's activities and alignment with the college's values.
- This follows a similar termination of ties by the Royal College of Nursing the previous week.
- Activists urged ethical scrutiny of commercial partnerships with Israel, citing past actions regarding Russia.
- Teva expressed disappointment, stating healthcare should not be politicized.
- Teva has a history of regulatory issues and significant fines from European and U.S. authorities.
The Royal Pharmaceutical College of the UK has terminated its sponsorship and exhibition agreements with Teva Pharmaceuticals, the largest Israeli drug manufacturer, citing concerns over the company's activities. This marks the second such decision in a week, following a similar move by the Royal College of Nursing. The college's leadership decided to end the partnership after a review prompted by its attainment of charitable status in April.
A spokesperson for the college told The Guardian that a due diligence process raised questions about Teva's operations, stating that certain activities "do not align with our values." Teva UK was slated to participate in four college events under a 15,000-pound sterling sponsorship deal.
The decision followed an open letter from activists, including pharmacists and healthcare professionals, urging the college to apply the same ethical scrutiny to commercial partnerships with Israel as its predecessor did to Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. The letter referenced the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's past divestment from Russian-linked funds.
Last week, the Royal College of Nursing, representing 500,000 nurses, also ended its long-standing ties with Teva, including sponsorship and an event focused on headaches and migraines. The union also announced it would cease working with Teva as a supplier, citing the company's connections to the IDF and a history of corporate misconduct.
Campaigners welcomed the decisions by both colleges, calling on other medical organizations to sever commercial ties with Teva. Dr. Barak Almousawi, an NHS doctor and organizer of the letter, told The Guardian that the Royal Coat of Arms, a symbol of high status, should not be associated with moral failure. Activists believe these decisions should influence procurement decisions beyond professional associations.
Teva expressed disappointment, stating, "We are disappointed by the Royal Pharmaceutical College's decision and firmly believe that healthcare works best when it is focused on patients and not politicized." The company maintains it does not donate to political parties, organizations, or military formations and will continue to help patients access medication. The article also notes Teva's history of regulatory issues and lawsuits, including a 462.6 million euro fine from the European Commission in 2024 for blocking competitors, a $225 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2023 over price-fixing allegations, and a $519 million settlement in 2016 related to bribery charges in Russia, Ukraine, and Mexico. Knesset Member Tatyana Mazarskaya previously warned that Israel risks losing access to modern medicines.
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