Biopharmaceuticals
Abbvie was spun off from Abbott Laboratories in 2013 to create a separate biopharmaceutical company focused on research and development of innovative medicines.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Mar 2026)
Praise
Criticism
Information
AbbVie Inc
Praise
Criticism
Information
CDP Climate Change score of B
In 2024, 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 B.
Source: CDP
(2024)
100% on Corporate Equality Index
This company received a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index 2025, a benchmarking tool on corporate policies, practices, and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer employees in the USA.
Source: Human Rights Campaign
(2025)
CDP Water Security score of B
In 2024, 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 B.
Source: CDP
(2024)
JUST Capital ranking
JUST Capital polls Americans every year to identify the issues that matter most in defining just business behaviour. For their 2025 rankings the public identified 17 issues, which are organised under the headings Workers, Communities, Customers, Shareholders and Environment. JUST Capital then define metrics that map to those issues and track and analyse the largest, publicly traded U.S. companies. This analysis powers their rankings, in which this company ranked 123rd of 940 companies, and 8th of 39 Pharmaceuticals & Biotech companies.
Source: JUST Capital
(2025)
63/100 in TIME rankings
World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2025 by TIME and Statista recognises the Top 500 most sustainable companies in the world. From a selection of 5,000 of the world's largest companies, non-sustainable businesses were excluded, and the remaining companies were rated on Commitment & Ratings, Reporting & Transparency, and Environmental & Social Stewardship. This company received a total score of 63/100, ranking 297th overall.
Source: TIME
(2025)
9.74% 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 9.74/100 (retrieved 9 March 2026).
Source: IPE
(2026)
6.7% in Just Transition
The 2026 Just Transition Benchmark assessed 1,600 companies across multiple industries and sectors on how they integrate social equity, inclusivity and the rights of workers into their climate transition plan. This company received a score of 6.7/100. The average score was 5.7 and the highest score was 86.7.
$2b opioid settlement
In 2022 this company's Allergan subsidiary agreed to pay US$2 billion to put an end to thousands of complaints alleging the company exacerbated the U.S. opioid epidemic.
Source: Top Class Actions
(2022)
Access to Medicine ranking
This company received the lowest score in the Access to Medicine Index 2024, a ranking of the world's 20 largest pharmaceutical companies on their efforts to improve access to medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics in low- and middle-income 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.
5/18 in Net Zero scorecard
As You Sow's 2023 report, 'Road to Zero Emissions', assessed the progress of 100 of the largest U.S. corporations in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with the Paris Agreement's objective of limiting global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, which requires achieving "net zero" emissions by 2050. Companies are graded on: climate related disclosures; GHG reduction targets, and GHG reductions. This company received an Overall Net Zero grade of D.
Source: As You Sow
(2023)
E grade in ACT Core
The 2026 ACT Core Benchmark assessed 1,600 companies on the credibility of their climate transition plans. Companies are evaluated across six measurement areas; emissions reporting and target definition, planning for the low-carbon transition, governance and policy, low-carbon investments, current target alignment, and performance. Companies receive a letter grade from A to G. This company received a score of E (Committed but not planning).
Insurance fraud
In 2020 this company, maker of the drug Humira, agreed to pay US$24m to settle a Californian lawsuit that alleged violations of insurance law. The lawsuit alleged that AbbVie unlawfully provided perks such as meals and drinks to California doctors to convince them to prescribe Humira and used registered nurses as "ambassadors" to patients - ostensibly to provide support for patient care - without disclosing they were working for the company
Source: Washington Post
(2020)
16.7% in Nature Benchmark
The 2026 Nature Benchmark assessed 750 companies from high-impact industries on their efforts to advance a nature-positive future by cutting damaging practices across their operations and supply chains, and by actively restoring and improving ecosystems. Companies are assessed across four measurement areas: Governance, Planet, People and Core social indicators. This company received a score of 16.7/100. The average score was 17.3 and the highest score was 56.4.
Fined for kickbacks and off-label marketing
In 2018 Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie Inc agreed to pay $25 million to resolve allegations that they employed kickbacks and unlawful methods of marketing and promotion to induce physicians to prescribe the drug TriCor. The settlement also resolved allegations that Abbott engaged in unlawful methods of off-label marketing and promotion relating to the sale of TriCor for unapproved indications.
Source: US Dept of Justice
(2018)
26.5% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017
This company received a score of 26.5/100 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)
US$448m anti-trust fine
In June 2018, the US District Court ruled that this company used sham litigation to illegally maintain its monopoly over the testosterone replacement drug Androgel, and ordered US$448m in monetary relief to consumers who were overcharged for Androgel as a result of AbbVie's conduct. [Listed under Information due to age of court finding]
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. A subsidiary of this company was involved in the 2019 settlement.
Source: news article
(2019)
Excessive CEO pay
As You Sow's 2023 report, 'The 100 Most Overpaid CEOs', reveals the 100 most overpaid CEOs from USA's 500 largest public companies (as determined by the S&P 500 list). This company's CEO, Richard A. Gonzalez came in at number 89 on the list, having been paid US$23,912,154 in 2022. According to the report, "Most CEOs have come to be grossly overpaid, and that overpayment is harmful to the companies, the shareholders, the customers, the other employees, the economy, and society as a whole."
Source: As You Sow
(2023)
CEO Pay Ratio of 138:1
In 2024 the median pay for a worker at this company was US$134,351. The CEO was paid 138 times this amount. Exorbitant CEO pay is a major contributor to rising inequality. CEOs are getting more because of their power to set pay, not because they are increasing productivity or possess specific, high-demand skills. The economy would suffer no harm if CEOs were paid less (or taxed more). In contrast, the CEO-to-typical-worker compensation ratio was 20-to-1 in 1965 and 58-to-1 in 1989.
Source: AFL-CIO
(2024)
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.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
Mum-friendly employer
This company was named in the top 10 of 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)
Responsibility claims
This company has extensive responsibility claims on its website.
Source: company website
(2020)
30% in Gender Benchmark
In 2023 and 2024, the World Benchmarking Alliance assessed 2,000 companies on their efforts to drive gender equality and women's empowerment across their entire value chain. Companies are assessed on governance and strategy, representation, compensation and benefits, health and well-being, and violence and harassment. This company scored 30 out of 100. The average score was 15.3 and the highest score was 51.
31.5% in Social Benchmark
The 2026 Social Benchmark assessed 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 received a score of 31.5/100. The average score was 20 and the highest score was 75.
Medium ESG Risk
Sustainalytics, a top ESG research firm, evaluates environmental, social, and governance risks for over 16,000 companies. Its ESG Risk Rating reflects how much risk a company faces in its industry and how well it manages those risks. The final score includes both unmanaged and unmanageable risks, and companies are rated on a scale from negligible (0-10) to severe (40+). This company received an ESG Risk Rating of 24.3, placing it in the "medium risk" category (retrieved April 2025).
Source: Sustainalytics
(2025)
Company Details
Type:
Public company
Founded:
2013
Revenue:
56.3 billion USD
(2024)
Employees:
55,000
(2024)
Subsidiaries:
Contact Details
Products / Brands
AbbVie Australia
abbvie
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Eye & Ear Care