Pharmaceuticals
Formerly GlaxoSmithKline plc. One of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. In 2022 GSK spun off its consumer health division, creating a new entity, Haleon.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Oct 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
GSK plc
Praise
Criticism
Information
CDP Climate Change score of A-
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of A-.
Source: CDP
(2023)
CDP Water Security score of A-
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of A-.
Source: CDP
(2023)
Access to Medicine ranking
GSK received the highest score in the Access to Medicine Index 2022, a ranking of the world's 20 largest pharmaceutical companies on their efforts to increase access to medicine in developing countries. The ranking is based on their scores in each Technical Area, with Product Delivery weighted most highly, followed by R&D and Governance of Access.
85/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 85/100 in the Pharmaceuticals category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 21 Oct 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global
(2022)
Carbon Trust Standard bearer
This company is a Carbon Trust Standard Bearer, signifying they have certified reductions in the environmental impact of their operations and supply chain
Source: Carbon Trust
(2021)
CDP Forests score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests score of B.
Source: CDP
(2023)
100% on Corporate Equality Index
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Source: Human Rights Campaign
(2021)
84% in AMR Benchmark
The 2021 Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Benchmark ranks 17 large pharmaceutical companies on their efforts keep medicines and vaccines available, despite the rise of drug resistance. This company was identified as a leader amongst large research-based companies, receiving a score of 84%.
Zofran lawsuits
In 2012 the US Department of Justice settled all charges against this company relating to the improper marketing of its anti nausea drug, Zofran to physicians for use in pregnant women and for paying kickbacks to physicians for using the medication. The company was required to pay US$3b in civil and criminal fines to dismiss the allegations. This does not absolve the company of any legal responsibility for damages or injuries caused by Zofran and many lawsuits have been filed in relation to birth defects and injuries.
Source: Drug Dangers
(2012)
Avandia lawsuits
This company's type 2 diabetes drug Avandia is linked to severe heart problems. More than 50,000 Avandia lawsuits have been filed in state and federal court across the US, citing GSK's failure to inform patients about potentially life-threatening symptoms, including stroke, heart failure, heart attack, bone fractures, vision loss and death, that have been linked to Avandia treatment. GSK has set aside $6.4 billion to pay for Avandia litigation and settlement costs.
Source: Drug Watch
(2016)
Paxil lawsuits
This company's antidepressant drug Paxil has been linked to serious and severe side effects including increased risk of suicide, birth defects and autism. This led to a number of lawsuits. By 2010, GSK had paid over $1 billion to settle more than 800 claims.
Source: Drug Watch
(2016)
Animal Testing
This company appears on PETA's (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, USA) 'Companies That Do Test On Animals' list, signifying that they manufacture products that are tested on animals at some stage of development.
Source: PETA
(2022)
Healthcare fraud
In July 2012 GSK was fined $US3 billion for marketing drugs for unauthorised uses, holding back safety data, and cheating the US government's Medicaid program. The US Justice Department said the company misbranded its drugs Paxil and Wellbutrin, while making unbacked claims for its diabetes drug Avandia. The department said GSK targeted the antidepressant Paxil to patients under age 18 when it was approved for adults only, and pushed the drug Wellbutrin for uses it was not approved for, including weight loss and treatment of sexual dysfunction.
Source: news article
(2012)
13.56% for supply chain practices in China
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 13.56/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE
(2023)
32.2% in Forest 500 Rankings
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 32.2%.
Source: Forest 500
(2023)
Palm oil scorecard - WWF
The 2024 WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard evaluates the progress and performance of 285 major retailers and manufacturer companies, focusing on actions companies have taken to ensure their own palm oil supply chain is sustainable and free of deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuse. This company is rated 'lagging behind' with a score of 9.49 out of a possible total of 24.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Scorecard
(2024)
Bribery and corruption in China
In 2018 this company was fined $489 million by Chinese authorities, the largest corporate fine ever in China, for using a network of travel agencies to channel around $489 million in bribes to health officials. The CEO of GSK China was sentenced to between two and four years in jail for corruption.
Source: news article
(2018)
$55m fraud settlement in USA
In 2019 several pharmaceutical companies finally settled a 2005 lawsuit which claimed the companies fudged wholesale drug prices to increase Medicaid reimbursements. In all, the state of Illinois received a combined $648 million over the course of that litigation. This company paid US$54.6 million in the 2019 settlement.
Source: news article
(2019)
Microbeads scorecard
In 2016 Greenpeace East Asia ranked the world's 30 biggest personal care companies on their commitment to eliminating microbeads from their personal care products. The scorecard was based on four main criteria: commitment & transparency, definition, deadline and global application. This company ranked towards the bottom of the scorecard. Microbeads are not retained by wastewater treatment and end up in the ocean where they are a threat to the marine environment.
Source: Greenpeace
(2016)
Involvement with Burma
In 2007, ITUC listed several key multinational having business links with
Burma, including GlaxoSmithKline. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: ITUC
(2007)
Producing and distributing adulterated drugs
GSK agreed to pay a $750 million settlement in response to criminal and civil complaints against the company. SB Pharmco Puerto Rico Inc., a subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline, has pled guilty to producing and distributing a number of adulterated drugs, including popular medications Paxil and Avandamet. An investigation of the company's manufacturing practices showed that as many as 20 different drugs were unsafely produced for years at a large plant in Cidra, Puerto Rico. [Listed under Information due to age of court finding]
Source: US Dept of Justice
(2010)
Bogus toothpaste claims
In 2016 an advertisement showing in the UK for GlaxoSmithKline's Aquafresh toothpaste brand was banned by the UK Advertising Standard Agency due to bogus claims that it provided '24 Hour Sugar Acid Protection'.
Source: news article
(2016)
Most controversial companies of 2013
This company appeared seventh on RepRisk's top ten "Most Controversial Companies of 2013". Companies on the list were severely criticised during 2013 by the world's media, governments and NGOs. Criticisms of GSK included conducting unauthorised vaccine trials in India, lawsuits over the health and safety of its products, bribery and fraud in China and USA, and workers rights in India. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: RepRisk
(2013)
Tax havens
This company has been criticised by ActionAid for having subsidiaries in tax havens. One of the main reasons companies have subsidiaries in tax havens is to dodge their taxes. Developing countries lose more to tax dodging than they receive in aid each year.
Source: ActionAid
(2011)
Fines for misconduct
This company is listed on the Federal Contractor Misconduct Database as having 33 instances of misconduct since 1995 amounting to US$8,804 million in penalties. Instances include deceptive marketing, litigation related to its antidepressant Paxil, fraud, antitrust issues and vaccine trial fines.
Bribery and corruption in China
In 2014 China fined this company US$490m after a court found it guilty of bribery. The record penalty follows allegations the drug giant paid out bribes to doctors and hospitals in order to have their products promoted. [Listed under Information due to age of court finding]
Source: news article
(2014)
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; responsible corporate engagement in climate policy; report climate change information in mainstream reports as a fiduciary duty; commit to electric vehicles; commit to 100% renewable power.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
Mum-friendly employer
This company was named in Seramount's 100 Best Companies 2022 for being a mum-friendly employer. Listed companies provide inclusive benefits for families, including paid gender-neutral parental leave, phase-back programs, bereavement leave after miscarriage, reimbursement for fertility expenses, and increased mental health benefits for employees.
Source: Seramount
(2022)
Ellen MacArthur Foundation member
This company is a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, whose stated mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation works with business, government and academia to build a framework for an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design.
42% female board
The Female FTSE Board Report 2020 measures of the number of women executive directors on the corporate boards of the UK's top companies. This company has 5 women on its board of directors (42%), and was one of 28 in the FTSE 100 with women in executive roles.
Source: Cranfield University
(2020)
AMR Industry Alliance member
This company is a member of the AMR Industry Alliance, a coalition of biotech, diagnostics, generics and research-based pharmaceutical companies set up to provide sustainable solutions to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is an increasingly significant threat to global public health which puts at risk the effective prevention and treatment of a wide range of infections.
Source: AMR Industry Alliance
(2021)
Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: company website
(2017)
Modern Slavery disclosure quality
Human Rights Law Centre's 2022 report, "Broken Promises: Two years of corporate reporting under Australia's Modern Slavery Act", examines statements submitted to the Government's Modern Slavery Register by 92 companies sourcing from four sectors with known risks of modern slavery: garments from China, rubber gloves from Malaysia, seafood from Thailand and fresh produce from Australia. Modern slavery statements are analysed to see if they comply with the mandatory reporting requirements, identify or disclose obvious modern slavery risks, and demonstrate effective actions to address risks. This company's modern slavery disclosure statement received a rating in the 41-60% range. The average score was 44% and the highest score was 89%.
Source: Human Rights Law Centre
(2022)
9.5/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2022 and received a score of 9.5/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
OpenSecrets.org profile
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
Source: Open Secrets
(2024)
Investment in nanotechnology
Friends of the Earth's 2014 report "Tiny Ingredients, Big Risks" names this company as one of over 200 transnational food companies engaged in nanotechnology research and development, and on their way to commercializing products. New studies are adding to a growing body of scientific evidence indicating nanomaterials may be toxic to humans and the environment.
Source: FOE
(2014)
54.2% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017
This company received a score of 54.2/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek
(2017)
29.3% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2022 and is ranked #88/816, with a total score of 29.3/100.
Corporate Rap Sheet
The Corporate Research Project's Corporate Rap Sheets are dossiers summarising the most significant crimes, violations and other questionable activities of the world's largest and most controversial companies. Follow link to see this company's Corporate Rap Sheet. "In recent years, GlaxoSmithKline has become known as the company that pays massive amounts to resolve wide-ranging charges brought by U.S. regulators and prosecutors. These included a $750 million payment relating to the sale of adulterated products from a facility in Puerto Rico and a record $3 billion in connection with charges relating to illegal marketing, suppression of adverse safety research results and overcharging government customers. The company also set a record for the largest tax avoidance settlement with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service."
Facing Finance profile
This company is listed on the Facing Finance website as a company that manufactures weapons or profits from violations of human rights, pollution, corruption, or international law. Follow link for further details.
Source: Facing Finance
(2015)
Company Details
Type:
Public company
Revenue:
30.8 billion GBP
(2018)
Employees:
98,462
(2017)