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:

Ethical business culture, Inclusion and diversity, Talent and workforce evolution, Workforce wellbeing and safety, Responsible supply chain, and Human rights.

Our Ethics and transparency approach supports the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Our stories

Our commitment to clinical trial transparency

As a science-led biopharmaceutical company, our clinical research is crucial to the development of potentially innovative and life-changing medicines and vaccines we aim to deliver to the people who need them most.

AstraZeneca data and AI ethics

Rapid advancements in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are revolutionising the pharmaceutical industry. At AstraZeneca, these advances have already begun to change the way we work in several business areas.

Workforce wellbeing & safety | Employees drive action on mental health

Mental health is a key component of our wellbeing strategy. We provide a variety of mental health programming across the globe. Employees have also been empowered to created their own initiatives, such as an internal social media stream dedicated as a safe space to share mental health awareness stories.

Talent and workforce evolution | Lifelong learning

We believe in building a culture where lifelong learning is embedded in the way we live and work. In 2019, we continued to provide learning opportunities for all our employees – from new starters to our most senior and experienced leaders. We have also built tools and resources to set the standard for upskilling our managers across AstraZeneca.

Inclusion and diversity | Global Council

In 2019 we launched our first Global Inclusion & Diversity Council. Our CEO chairs the Council, setting the tone from the top. Representatives from each business function and key geography have come together to develop and implement a common approach to I&D that is tailored to the context of each group.

Responsible supply chain | Transparency map – Mapping our suppliers

We recognise transparency as a foundation of trust, something that we want to build with all our stakeholders. We’re reimagining sustainability reporting by aiming to make the same information accessible to all at the same time. The launch of a new, interactive Transparency Map is part of that commitment.

Human Rights | Upholding the Right to Privacy

Our Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) for personal data processes go beyond what is legally required and mandate PIAs for all types of processing activities worldwide. In 2019 we enhanced our Privacy Forum to ensure expertise in data protection worldwide. Moreover, now every employee is required to take privacy training on a regular basis.

Ethical business culture | Living out our Value of “Putting patients first”

In 2019 we held our first Patient Week. This was an opportunity for our employees to walk in patients’ and caregivers’ shoes and listen to their experiences. By acting on these insights, we aim to improve the patient experience through activating patient-centric solutions and delivering meaningful advances in healthcare.

Sustainability Spotlights

Animals in Science

 

At AstraZeneca we embrace a ‘Culture of Care’. This means we have high standards of animal welfare and constantly look for ways to improve how we use animals in science. We are committed to the 3Rs in our research – Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement.

 

We have a Council for Science and Animal Welfare (C-SAW), the expert decision-making group, which oversees the use of animals in science, ensuring our oversight mechanisms are robust, and ensuring that we continually improve laboratory animal science and welfare.
 

Learn more about our approach to Animals in Research here.
 

Learn more about our approach to Bioethics here.

 

See our Bioethics Policy to learn more

 

 


image source: http://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/resources/image-library

Clinical Trials

 

Clinical trials are used to study the effects of potential new medicines in humans. They are critical to developing new life-saving medicines. We are continually working to be transparent with our data from clinical trials.

 

Visit our Transparency portal for information on results from our clinical trials. This industry-wide portal was driven by AstraZeneca, in collaboration with a vendor partner. It is first of its kind, developed with input from patients.

 

See our Bioethics Policy to learn more

Approach to Taxation

 

Our business activities around the world incur a substantial amount and variety of taxes. The taxes we pay and collect represent a significant contribution to the countries and societies in which we operate.

 

See our Approach to Taxation policy to learn more.

Intellectual Property

 

AstraZeneca is committed to expanding access to healthcare through intellectual property and to providing transparency about where our patents are filed and enforced.

 

See our Intellectual Property statement to learn more about our approach, to view the list of countries where we do not file patent applications, and to view patent rights for medicines used to treat Index diseases.

Human Biological Samples

 

The use of human biological samples, such as solid tissue, biofluids and their derivatives, plays a vital role in developing a deeper understanding of human diseases, which helps us develop effective, new and precision medicines as well as improved diagnoses.

 

When we conduct this research, we employ processes to ensure that we maintain high ethical standards. We place an emphasis on informed consent that protects the rights and expectations of donors and families.

 

Learn more about our approach to Bioethics here.

 

See our Bioethics Policy to learn more.

 

Our Sustainability Data Summary shows the numbers on this topic.

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.

 

AstraZeneca Bioethics infographic

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. 

 

AstraZeneca Transparency Map

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.

AstraZeneca and Global Transparency

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.

AZethics website

Read more about Ethics and transparency in our Sustainability report

To view our Code of Ethics, policies, standards and positions, visit our Resources page