UK pharmacy organization cuts ties with ‘Israeli’ drugmaker Teva
- The Royal College of Pharmacy has withdrawn Teva UK’s sponsorship and exhibition arrangements following an internal review.
- The company is among several suppliers and sponsors facing severed ties with British healthcare organizations.
- Teva has previously faced major financial penalties over allegations of price-fixing and bribery.
Britain’s Royal College of Pharmacy has cancelled its commercial arrangements with ‘Israeli’ pharmaceutical company Teva last week, saying a review of the firm’s activities raised concerns over compatibility with the organization’s values.
The decision, effective immediately, means Teva UK will no longer sponsor or exhibit at the college’s upcoming annual conference. The agreement was reportedly valued at £15,000 and covered participation in four college events.
The college has not disclosed the specific findings that prompted the move. The review follows its transition to charitable status in April.
The decision adds to a series of withdrawals by UK healthcare organizations from partnerships with Teva. The Royal College of Nursing has said it will discontinue sponsorship arrangements involving the company, including funding for its union and an event focused on headaches and migraines.
Earlier this month, the British Nurses Union also announced it would no longer source supplies from Teva, pointing to the company’s links to the ‘Israeli’ military and concerns over its corporate record.
The growing scrutiny comes amid international criticism of ‘Israeli’ businesses over the war on Gaza, which has killed more than 74,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry and caused widespread damage to the territory’s healthcare infrastructure.
The Royal College of Pharmacy represents more than 34,000 pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists across Britain. Its decision follows an earlier move by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to withdraw investments from Russian companies after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has separately urged consumers and institutions to boycott Teva. It has also called for the ‘Israeli’ Medical Association to be suspended from the World Medical Association.
UK Healthcare Petitions to Royal Colleges welcomed the decisions, saying they reflected the ethical expectations placed on healthcare professionals.
Teva has previously incurred substantial penalties in cases involving its business practices. In 2023, it was fined $225 million in a case concerning the fixing of prices for three medicines. In 2016, the company agreed to pay $519 million over bribery involving government officials in Mexico, Russia and Ukraine.
