Despite growing reluctance among the broader corporate community, pharmaceutical companies remain committed to pursuing their respective environmental, social, and governance goals.
A study published in the fall found that ESG is a priority not only for pharmaceutical companies, but also for the patients they serve.
While sustainability goals vary from company to company, promoting responsible business practices remains a key goal in this sector.
For Teva Pharmaceuticals, ESG efforts are focused on providing uninsured patients with access to mental health services.
Carol Richardson, senior director and head of ESG for North America at Teva, told MM+M that the company’s Community Routes: Access to Mental Health Care program is a cornerstone of the pharmaceutical giant’s sustainability drive. Ta. MM+M is her PRWeek sister media outlet located at Haymarket Media.
This community-driven program, conducted in partnership with Direct Relief and the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, has provided $75,000 in funding to 11 local clinics across Florida, New Jersey, and California.
The company made a second round of funding in the fall as part of its commitment to provide $2 million in grants to organizations supporting the mental health care needs of uninsured patients.
Richardson said Teva is working with charities to remove barriers faced by the uninsured because pharmaceutical companies recognize how access to medicines can improve patient outcomes. He said there was.
“From an ESG perspective, we are looking at providing access to medicines to underserved patient populations, including uninsured patients here in the United States,” she said. “Based on our consistent philanthropy, we provide a portfolio of commonly used medicines to selected clinics, ensuring patients receive the medicines they need free of charge.”
Richardson said the nation’s ongoing severe mental health crisis was one of the factors that prompted Teva to take action, but the organization is focusing on racial health from a behavioral health perspective. They also investigated the state of disparity.
That’s why, Richardson said, in addition to making these medicines more widely available, the company is working with philanthropic partners to provide health information and information in bilingual and culturally appropriate ways for diverse patients. He said the resources are being created.
Two years after Teva launched this community-led initiative, there is still work to be done that requires different industry stakeholders to collaborate and influence change to improve patient outcomes.
“To address stigma, continue the conversation around mental health, and ultimately ensure that patients have access to medicine and support, no matter where they live or their social status, I “We all need to work together,” she said. “Pharmaceutical companies are contributing to this.”
This article first appeared on mmm-online.com.
