As we work to re-shape and drive innovation within R&D, I am determined that we continue to effectively underpin those efforts with sound ethical practice worldwide
Biopharmaceutical innovation is at the heart of AstraZeneca’s business and our scientists are united in a common goal – to get new and effective medicines to patients as quickly and as safely as possible.
During 2010, in line with our accelerated business strategy, we made some changes to our R&D strategy to strengthen our ability to deliver innovative medicines that meet real world healthcare needs. We are focusing our research efforts on the disease areas where our skills and capabilities can make the most difference. We are creating a more effective and flexible operating model and organisation, building new capabilities to take advantage of new science to improve productivity and working in partnerships across all aspects of our R&D to broaden the base for success.
Research ethics is one of our top priorities and we aim to make sure that the strategic changes we are making within R&D are underpinned by our ongoing commitment to delivering innovation responsibly. We want to be recognised for our high quality science and for the impact we can make on serious disease – and we want to continue to be trusted for the way in which we do that, particularly as we expand our research into emerging markets. This means setting and living up to high standards of ethical practice across all aspects of our research activity worldwide.
It starts with our Code of Conduct, which requires that our research is conducted in accordance with all relevant external laws and regulations. Our Code also requires compliance with our Bioethics Policy, which describes our commitment beyond legal compliance and defines the ethical standards, principles and behaviours governing all our research and development activity worldwide. Our commitment to high ethical standards of R&D applies not only to our R&D functions (globally and in our marketing companies), but also to supporting functions such as purchasing, business development and legal. Our standards also apply to all third parties who carry out work on our behalf.
The changes to our R&D strategy mean some significant changes to our research activity and to our organisational footprint. Alongside our commitment to maintaining high ethical standards, we are determined to make sure that we manage the impact of these changes on our people responsibly. You can read more about this in our Employees section.
Governance and compliance
Our Science Policy and Practice Council is a cross-functional group of senior R&D leaders provides leadership and direction on science policy matters to ensure that we continue to have clear accountabilities throughout the organisation.
The Board’s Science Committee provides assurance to the AstraZeneca Board regarding the quality and integrity of our science-based research and development activities. As needed, this Committee also reviews, together with other external experts, important bioethics issues that the company faces, and agrees appropriate policies on behalf of the Board.
Our R&D compliance organisations work to ensure that our R&D communities worldwide understand and comply with all relevant external legislation and regulatory requirements, and with our own internal policies. This includes the implementation of ongoing programmes for continuous improvement embedded in R&D business processes, training, auditing and monitoring, and ongoing assessment of key compliance risks.
The above content of this page was externally assured by Bureau Veritas, February 2011.
The path to a new medicine
Our interactive model takes you along the path to a new medicine and shows the many different activities, skills & capabilities that are required.