Ethics and transparency
Creating positive societal impact and promoting ethical behaviour in all markets across our value chain
Highlights
45.4%
of senior middle management roles and above are held by women
86%
of employee survey respondents feel that AstraZeneca is a great place to work
63.3
instances of non-compliance with the Code of Ethics per thousand employees in commercial regions
89%
of supplier spend was assessed through our third-party risk management (3PRM) process
80%
of employee survey respondents feel that AstraZeneca has a Speak Up culture
71%
of sites promote the four Essential Health Activities: healthy eating and drinking, tobacco cessation, physical fitness and workplace pressure management
Our approach
We want to be valued for not only our medicines, but also for the way we work. We believe integrity, respect and transparency comprise the foundation of a healthy business culture. We build trust by demonstrating ethical business practices and fair treatment of all living things in everything we do within our company, across our value chain and in society.
Our core company Values, including putting patients first and doing the right thing, guide our decision-making and foster a unified AstraZeneca culture. These Values underpin all our activities and serve as a compass for our interactions. Our approach goes beyond rules and policies: we want to empower our workforce to use their judgement to do the right thing.
Our Ethics and transparency focus areas include:
Our stories
Sustainability Spotlights
Bioethics Interactive Infographic
Making bioethics information easily accessible, our interactive infographic highlights the range of ethical issues that arise from the study and practice of biological and medical science. Bioethics at AstraZeneca is governed by the Bioethics Advisory Group (BAG), sponsored by the Chief Medical Officer, bringing together subject matter experts for the main areas of bioethical interest.
Interactive Transparency Map launched
We’re boosting our efforts in transparency. We've launched a new interactive tool to increase our openness around sourcing, manufacturing, site programmes and access to healthcare programmes involved in delivering our medicines to patients. This is a step on our sustainability journey. It puts our Value of doing the right thing into action.
Our professional interactions are transparent
By providing visibility into the details of financial arrangements with HCPs and HCOs, AstraZeneca hopes to foster a greater understanding of the value, appropriateness, and necessity of relationships between the pharmaceutical industry and HCPs and HCOs – relationships critical to the research and development of new medicines and to vital exchanges of information within the broader medical community. For more information as well as a view of our disclosure reports, click on the link below.
Your concerns related to our ethics or conduct are important to us
We value speaking up as part of our ethical business culture. We want anyone who has a concern about our ethics or conduct to report it without delay. With our new AZethics platform, we are making it easier for individuals to make a report using a simple, one-step intake form and the option to remain anonymous where permitted by local law. Internally, we also encourage a culture of transparent reporting of concerns to the relevant manager, HR or Compliance. We are committed to investigating and responding to all concerns of alleged misconduct or breaches of law or policy that are raised to us.
Read more about Ethics and transparency in our Sustainability report
To view our Code of Ethics, policies, standards and positions, visit our Resources page