GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has come out top in the index that ranks pharma companies on their efforts to widen global access to medicines. This is the fourth consecutive time that GSK has topped the Access to Medicine Index, providing an endorsement of its practices in low- and middle-income countries. Novo Nordisk came second (up from 6th place in 2012) and J&J came third in the ranking, which is carried out every two years by the Netherlands-based Access to Medicine Foundation. Commenting on the 2014 Index, GSK CEO Sir Andrew Witty said: “GSK’s ranking is a fantastic acknowledgement of our continued commitment… from scientists working with Save the Children to develop child-friendly medicines, to those collaborating on research into a potential vaccine against Ebola”. Wim Leereveld, chief executive of the Foundation, said that, as well as measuring philanthropic efforts in the poorest countries, the index showed investors the companies responding best to the health needs of emerging markets. “Investors really see this as a very important issue for the future,” he said. (Financial Times; GSK)*
Supply Chain
Anti-slavery chief issues warning over supply chains
Britain’s first anti-slavery commissioner is threatening to expose companies that fail to take steps to eradicate forced labour from supply chains. Once they know they are being monitored… they will want to have clean supply chains,” said Kevin Hyland, the former head of London’s Metropolitan Police human trafficking unit. “If they fail they will be exposed – and no company in the world wants to be shown as employing slaves.” His role is being created as part of the Modern Slavery bill, due to be debated in the House of Lords on Monday, which will also require companies to disclose the efforts being made every year to tackle slavery in their supply chains. Mr Hyland’s appointment, which will be confirmed when the bill becomes law, comes as international efforts to stamp out human trafficking gather pace. According to the National Crime Agency, the number of people identified as potential victims of trafficking and forced labour in the UK rose 47 per cent last year. (Financial Times)*
Companies at risk of buying “conflict palm oil”, says report
The Leuser Ecosystem in Indonesia, one of the world’s most biodiverse enviornments, is under threat, according to a recent Rainforest Action Network (RAN) report. “Conflict palm oil” is highlighted in particular, referring to palm oil produced through destruction of rainforests and peatlands and the violation of human rights. Because conflict palm oil cannot be traced back to its origin, the report states that consumer goods companies who have not adopted and implemented responsible palm oil procurement policies – including PepsiCo and Kraft Foods – are at risk of purchasing conflict palm oil grown in the Leuser Ecosystem. Three companies cited in the report as the biggest buyers of palm oil in the area are Musim Mas Group, Wilmar International and Golden Agri-Resources. Of these, the report accuses Musim Mas of “delaying tactics” compared to the “industry leading commitments and policies” adopted by Wilmar and Golden-Agri. (Triple Pundit)
Climate Change
President Obama prepares fresh wave of domestic climate action
After sealing a landmark climate change deal with China, the Obama administration has this week sat down with domestic political leaders to address the threats climate impacts pose to the US. US Vice President Joe Biden yesterday met with those who sit on the president’s Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience to hear their recommendations on how to respond to extreme weather and other climate change impacts. At the same time, the White House unveiled new proposals to help leaders increase the climate change resilience of their communities. The new initiatives include a web-based climate resilience toolkit that helps planners and decisions makers easily access federal tools to better prepare communities for droughts, rising sea levels and harsher storms. (Business Green)
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Image Source: Medicine 02 by Taki Steve/ CC BY-SA 2.0
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