Royal College of Pharmacy Ends Sponsorship with Teva UK Following Activist Pressure
The Royal College of Pharmacy has terminated its sponsorship and exhibition agreement with Teva UK, the British subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceuticals. The decision follows a due diligence review that the college stated revealed unspecified activities by the parent company that did not align with its organizational values. This action follows a similar move by the Royal College of Nursing, which ended its own ties with the firm. The terminations were preceded by an open letter from pro-Palestine campaigners, including UK Healthcare Petitions to Royal Colleges, which urged professional bodies to apply ethical scrutiny to their commercial partnerships. Teva Pharmaceuticals expressed disappointment, stating that healthcare should remain focused on patients rather than becoming politicized.
Key points
- The Royal College of Pharmacy ended its sponsorship and exhibition deal with Teva UK.
- The decision follows a similar move by the Royal College of Nursing.
- Campaigners pressured the organizations to review commercial ties with the firm.
- Teva Pharmaceuticals stated it is disappointed and believes healthcare should not be politicized.
- The college cited a due diligence review as the basis for its decision.
What happened
The Royal College of Pharmacy has officially ended its sponsorship and exhibition agreement with Teva UK. The professional body, which represents 34,000 pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, stated that the decision was made by its executive team following a due diligence review.
A spokesperson for the college noted that the review brought to light unspecified activities by Teva Pharmaceuticals that did not align with the college's values. The termination takes effect immediately, impacting the company's planned presence at four upcoming events, including the college's annual conference.
Context
The move follows a similar decision by the Royal College of Nursing, which cut its ties with Teva UK. Both organizations faced pressure from an open letter circulated by campaigners, including the group UK Healthcare Petitions to Royal Colleges.
The letter urged professional health bodies to apply ethical scrutiny to their commercial partnerships, drawing a comparison to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's decision to divest from Russian-linked funds following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Teva Pharmaceuticals has previously faced significant legal challenges, including a 2024 European Commission fine for anti-competitive practices and a 2023 settlement with the US Department of Justice regarding price-fixing allegations.
What's next
Campaigners are now calling on other medical royal colleges that have maintained commercial relationships with Teva to end those partnerships. These include organizations representing GPs, psychiatrists, and hospital doctors. Teva Pharmaceuticals has maintained that it does not make donations to political parties or military entities and remains focused on patient care.
Why it matters
The decision highlights the growing pressure on professional medical bodies to align their commercial partnerships and sponsorship agreements with the ethical expectations of their members and the public.
What we know
- The Royal College of Pharmacy ended its sponsorship and exhibition agreement with Teva UK.
