Responsibility

Responsible business is how we do business

Being commercially successful and operating responsibly is how we will generate sustainable returns for our shareholders and deliver on our purpose, to help patients and consumers around the world, do more, feel better and live longer. 

In September 2018, we announced that we are investing in a new set of commitments across three focus areas, to deliver the greatest possible long-term impact in improving health around the world.

Fundamentals for being a responsible company

These three priority areas are supported by our fundamental commitment to running our business responsibly. This means delivering a reliable supply of high-quality products, protecting a values-driven culture where issues are responded to swiftly and transparently, being responsible and transparent in how we use data, improving our patient and scientific engagement, and reducing our environmental impact.

How we will report our performance

We will share our progress by reporting against our new commitments each year starting in 2019, for the 2018 year.

For our 2017 responsible business reporting, please see our Responsible Business Supplement alongside our financial performance within the Annual Report.

Our governance structure

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Our Board-level Corporate Responsibility Committee (CRC) oversees our responsible business activities. It meets four times a year to provide high-level guidance and reviews performance against our commitments. Both the Chairman and CEO are among its members and Non-Executive Director, Lynn Elsenhans, is Chair of the CRC.

Management of key non-financial risks is governed by our Audit and Risk Committee. The Audit and Assurance team supports this committee by providing an independent view to the Board and senior management of how risk is being managed across the business consistent with an agreed Assurance Plan.