Second UK health body cuts ties with Israeli drug firm amid activist pressure

The Royal College of Pharmacy has ended its sponsorship and exhibition partnership with Teva UK, the British subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceuticals, following pressure from pro-Palestine campaigners. This decision aligns with a similar move by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which also severed ties with Teva UK last week. The RCN, representing 500,000 UK nurses, had previously dropped Teva as a sponsor of both the union and an event on headache and migraine.

The Royal College of Pharmacy, which has 34,000 members and serves as the professional body for Britain’s pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, had planned for Teva UK to exhibit at four of its events as part of a £15,000 sponsorship deal. The college stated that its decision was based on a due diligence review that uncovered “activities” by Teva Pharmaceuticals which did not align with its values. The spokesperson for the college emphasized that the move was made by its executive team after the organization became a charity in April, prompting a review of its policies.

Teva Pharmaceuticals, known for producing generic medications rather than developing new drugs, has faced criticism for its corporate practices. The college did not specify the nature of the activities it found concerning, but the decision reflects growing scrutiny of the company’s operations amid heightened political tensions. Teva expressed disappointment with the decision, stating that healthcare should not become politicized.

The move by the Royal College of Pharmacy follows the circulation of an open letter by campaigners, including the UK Healthcare Petitions to Royal Colleges (UKHPRC), signed by individual pharmacists and other health professionals. The letter highlighted the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when it decided to no longer invite Russian pharmaceutical companies to its events. This precedent appears to have influenced the current decision.

The actions by these UK health bodies reflect a broader trend of institutions reconsidering their relationships with Israeli companies amid increasing calls for accountability. While the specific concerns about Teva remain undisclosed, the decisions underscore the complex interplay between corporate responsibility and geopolitical considerations in the healthcare sector.

In a world where justice and mercy are called for, the choices made by institutions can reflect a commitment to aligning with values that honor the dignity of all people. As Micah 6:8 reminds us, we are to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. Such considerations may guide the ongoing dialogue about the role of corporations in global affairs.

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