The Royal College of Pharmacy has ended its sponsorship and exhibition presence with Teva UK, the British arm of Teva Pharmaceuticals. This decision affects the college's forthcoming annual conference and follows a due diligence review.
A spokesperson for the Royal College of Pharmacy stated that certain activities of Teva Pharmaceuticals, uncovered during the review, did not align with its values. The college, which represents 34,000 pharmacists in Britain, did not specify which activities were of concern.
This move makes the Royal College of Pharmacy the second major UK health body to cut ties with Teva UK, after the Royal College of Nursing ended its longstanding relationship with the firm last week. Teva UK expressed disappointment, stating that healthcare should not be politicised.
The college's decision comes after an open letter circulated by campaigners, including UK Healthcare Petitions to Royal Colleges (UKHPRC), urged the college to apply ethical scrutiny to its partnerships. UKHPRC has welcomed the decisions by both royal colleges and is now encouraging other royal colleges with past or present commercial ties to Teva to follow suit.