Ethics and transparency
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Our approach to ethics and transparency
Science underpinned by ethical behaviour and transparency
We seek to create positive societal impact and embed ethical behaviour in all our business activities, markets and value chain, to create value beyond the impact of our medicines. We do this by promoting ethical, transparent and inclusive policies and practices, internally as well as with our partners and suppliers.
We need to ensure that we retain and increase trust across all our stakeholder groups to deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
Our focus areas
Ethical business culture
We are committed to driving the highest ethical standards of conduct and accountability beyond compliance, guided by our Code of Ethics and Values. We emphasise Values-based decision-making in all we do and encourage our workforce and suppliers to adopt a sustainability mindset. Transparency and visibility in our business supports learning and development, which is fundamental to meeting the expectations of patients, investors and broader society.
Inclusion and diversity
Inclusion and diversity (I&D) benefits our Company because innovation requires breakthrough ideas that only come from a diverse workforce empowered to challenge conventional thinking. Our ongoing commitment to I&D underpins our ability to maintain a sustainable workforce by ensuring that we continue to attract, develop and retain top talent from various backgrounds and with different experiences, making a fundamental contribution to our success.
Workforce safety and health
To continue to deliver life-changing medicines to patients, we must foster an environment where people feel safe, energised and inspired. The resources we put into support for the physical and mental health and safety of our employees are an investment in society at large, the communities where we operate and their long-term economic health. Contributing to a safe and healthy environment is the right thing to do and can also have positive business impacts in terms of productivity.
Our ambition
By 2025:
Gender equality
Maintain 100%
75% reduction
10 new countries
Our achievements
50.1%
83%
59.6%
10 countries
*As at end December 2023. Source: Sustainability Report 2023
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 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.
Our Ethics and transparency highlights
Click below to learn more about our sustainability initiatives:
HCP and HCO Payment Transparency
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.
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.
Data and AI ethics
Our principles for ethical data and AI empower us and our partners to do the right thing to ensure the responsible use of AI.
Sustainable procurement
Sustainable Procurement embeds responsible sourcing practices in end-to-end procurement processes and promotes ethical behaviour among our suppliers.
