A second major UK health organization has terminated its relationship with an Israeli pharmaceutical company following pressure from pro-Palestinian advocates.
The Royal College of Pharmacy has removed Teva UK, the British division of global pharmaceutical manufacturer Teva Pharmaceuticals, as both a sponsor and exhibitor at its upcoming annual conference.
This decision follows the Royal College of Nursing’s recent move to sever its long-standing relationship with Teva UK. The RCN, representing 500,000 UK nurses, ended Teva’s sponsorship of the union and a headache and migraine-focused event.
As the professional representative body for Britain’s 34,000 pharmacists, the Royal College of Pharmacy had Teva UK listed as an exhibitor at four events under a £15,000 agreement.
In a statement, the college indicated that the decision resulted from due diligence findings revealing certain Teva Pharmaceuticals activities that conflicted with the college’s values.
“The Royal College of Pharmacy has decided to end Teva UK’s current sponsorship and exhibition presence for our forthcoming annual conference with immediate effect,” the spokesperson said.
“This follows additional due diligence review which has brought to our attention the possibility of certain Teva Pharmaceuticals activities which do not align with our values,” the statement continued.
While not specifying the exact activities of concern, the college noted that the executive team made this decision after becoming a charity in April, prompting a review of its policies. Teva, known for manufacturing generic drugs rather than developing new medications, maintains a history of corporate misconduct.
Teva expressed disappointment with the termination, arguing that healthcare should remain apolitical.
The college’s action follows the distribution of an open letter organized by groups including UK Healthcare Petitions to Royal Colleges (UKHPRC), signed by individual pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
The letter pointed out that the Royal Pharmaceutical Society—the Royal College of Pharmacy’s predecessor—had previously responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 by eliminating investments in Russian-related funds. The letter urged similar ethical scrutiny regarding Israel.
UKHPRC welcomed both the RCN and Royal College of Pharmacy decisions. “We hope this reflects the ethical standards the public rightly expects from healthcare professionals,” the group stated.
Medical royal colleges serve as professional representatives for various medical specialties in the UK, such as general practitioners and surgeons. UKHPRC is now encouraging other royal colleges with current or past commercial ties to Teva to discontinue their relationships. These include colleges representing GPs, psychiatrists, and hospital doctors who have previously accepted Teva sponsorship.
“These successes should influence boardrooms across the NHS and pharmacy procurement decisions. They demonstrate that financial support need not compromise institutional integrity,” organizers stated.
Dr. Barrak Almoosawi, an NHS physician and letter organizer, commented: “Nursing and pharmacy have taken action; organizations still accepting Teva funding can no longer claim inaction. Institutional prestige carries responsibility—it should never legitimize ethical negligence.”
In 2024, the European Commission imposed a €462.6 million fine on Teva for preventing competitors from challenging its multiple sclerosis treatment Copaxone across seven European countries over periods spanning four to nine years.
In 2023, Teva settled with the US Department of Justice for $225 million in lieu of prosecution following price-fixing charges related to three medications.
Previously, in 2016, the company resolved civil and criminal charges with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice by paying $519 million (£393 million) concerning bribery of government officials in Russia, Ukraine, and Mexico.
Teva Pharmaceuticals responded with a statement: “We are disappointed by the Royal College of Pharmacy’s decision, and firmly believe healthcare is at its best when it remains focused on patients rather than being politicised. While we respectfully disagree with this decision, we will continue to act with integrity and remain focused on what matters most: helping patients access the medicines they need.
“We are humbled by the opportunity to serve more than 150 million patients daily worldwide and remain committed to positively impacting those we serve, guided by international laws, local regulations, and our shared values. Teva does not make donations to political parties, political organizations, or military entities in any country.”
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