We write expressing concerns over the inclusion of Teva Pharmaceuticals as a participant in the UN’s Global Compact list. Being a signatory to the Global Compact reflects ‘a company’s value system and a principles-based approach to doing business. This means operating in ways that, at a minimum, meet fundamental responsibilities in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Responsible businesses enact the same values and principles wherever they have a presence, and know that good practices in one area do not offset harm in another.’ (1) There is overwhelming evidence that Teva Pharmaceuticals is in breach of several of the 10 Principles that are fundamental to the Global Compact.

Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.
Principle 2: Make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Since the start of Israel’s attacks on the civilian population of the Gaza strip in 2023, Teva has shown unremitting support for the Israeli military. On 9th October the Israeli Defence Minister declared a complete siege of Gaza, ‘There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed […] We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly.’ (2) The next day Teva proclaimed its support for the Israeli military, just as the military’s Head Spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, stated that the aim of the attack on Gaza was not accuracy but to cause ‘maximum damage’ (3,4). Despite the appalling evidence of unrelenting human rights violations, including deliberate starvation, targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, torturing of prisoners, sexual abuse and overwhelming evidence for the targeting of children (5-9), on 26th October 2023, Teva’s CEO Richard Francis, referred to Teva as Israel’s ‘national pharmaceutical and healthcare company’, and the tenor of these statements has not wavered as the genocide’s death toll has escalated (10).

In 2024 Yossi Ofek, the regional CEO of Teva Israel, Ukraine, Africa and the Middle East Clusters stated:
‘As the national pharmaceutical company of Israel, we have been harnessed - since the beginning of the war - for the benefit of Israel, the wounded and the families of the evacuees and the security forces. […] we donated essential medicines, baby food compounds and computers...’ (translated from Hebrew - 11)

Ofek more recently stated that around 20% of Teva’s staff were recruited into the military effort since October 2023 (12).

Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges
Principle 8: Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility

Between 2007 and 2009, Teva was found to have violated multiple elements of the US federal Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act as well as multiple terms of Missouri state law due to its polluting of facilities in Missouri, USA resulting in a fine of $2.25 million USD. In addition, Teva was ordered to take actions worth $2.5 million USD on improvements to its facility to prevent future violations.

‘With numerous violations over a period of years, Teva’s actions resulted in significant environmental damage to the air and water. […] The penalty and injunctive relief required by this agreement send a strong message to Teva and others that businesses must comply with environmental laws.’ (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2013) (13)

Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

In 2014 Teva was fined €15.5 million for colluding with the pharma company Servier to delay the entry of a generic competitor to Servier's antihypertensive Perindopril, in breach of EU anti-trust laws. (14)
In 2016, Teva was fined over $500 million USD to resolve criminal charges levied under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, including a criminal penalty of $283 million USD, for bribery of government officials and a deliberate failure to implement a system of internal controls that would prevent bribery. (15)
By its own admission, Teva and Teva Russia employees paid bribes to a high-ranking Russian government official to increase sales of Teva’s multiple sclerosis drug, Copaxone, in annual drug purchase auctions held by the Russian Ministry of Health, despite the Russian government seeking to reduce its expenditure on costly foreign pharmaceutical products; Teva benefited from this deal to the tune of $200 million in profits. (16)
Teva also admitted to paying bribes to a senior government official within the Ukrainian Ministry of Health to influence the government’s approval of Teva drug registrations, including Copaxone and insulins, allowing them to enter the Ukrainian market. Between 2001 and 2011, they engaged the official as a “registration consultant,” paying a monthly fee and covering expenses totalling approximately $200,000 USD. (16)
Teva further admitted to failing to implement an adequate system of internal accounting controls and failing to enforce the controls it had in place at its Mexican subsidiary. This allowed bribes to be paid to doctors employed by the Mexican government to prescribe Copaxone since at least 2005, Teva executives in Israel responsible for the development of their anti-corruption compliance program in 2009 were aware of this.
‘Teva executives approved policies and procedures that they knew were not sufficient to meet the risks posed by Teva’s business and were not adequate to prevent or detect payments to foreign officials. Teva also admitted that its executives put in place managers to oversee the compliance function who were unable or unwilling to enforce the anti-corruption policies that had been put in place.’ (Press release US Office of Public Affairs) (16)
In 2020, the European Commission fined Teva and Cephalon (a company acquired by Teva after these violations) €30 and €30.5 million, respectively, for deliberately delaying the entry of a generic competitor to Cephalon’s Modafinil preparation in order to not disrupt Cephalon’s Modafinil profits. Teva held patents for the production of Modafinil and was ready to enter the market with its own generic version, which it was already selling in the UK. Instead, it agreed with Cephalon, in exchange for a beneficial package of commercial side-deals and cash payments, to stop its entry and avoid challenging Cephalon’s patents (17).
In 2020 the US Federal Government launched an anti-trust investigation into Teva and other pharmaceutical companies due to evidence of price-fixing, a deferred prosecution agreement was reached in 2023, whereby Teva conceded that it was involved in colluding with other pharmaceutical companies in fixing the price of Pravastatin, Clotrimazole and Tobramycin (18). This agreement includes an admission by Teva that it was involved in price-fixing as the US Federal Government had alleged.
In 2024, the European Commission fined Teva €462.6 million for ‘abusing its dominant position to delay competition to its blockbuster medicine for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, Copaxone. The Commission found that Teva artificially extended the patent protection of Copaxone and systematically spread misleading information about a competing product to hinder its market entry and uptake.’ (19) This is the largest fine that the European Commission has ever levied on any company, and its legal conclusions are notable for their scathing criticism of Teva, a company that usually settles its disputes out of court, thereby avoiding legal liability.
The Commission found that Teva was responsible for misusing patent procedures. In particular, when its patent for glatiramer acetate for the treatment of multiple sclerosis was about to expire, Teva artificially extended it by misusing the European Patent Office’s rules and procedures on divisional patents. They created a web of secondary patents around Copaxone by filing multiple related patents in a staggered fashion. Despite challenges from competitors and a pending review by the patent office, Teva started enforcing these patents against competitors to obtain interim injunctions. When it appeared the patents would be revoked, Teva withdrew them to avoid a formal invalidity ruling, which would have threatened other divisional patents. In this way, Teva forced competitors to repeatedly start new lengthy legal challenges, allowing Teva to artificially prolong legal uncertainty over its patents and potentially hinder the entry of competing medicines. All Teva's divisional patents were later annulled. (19)
Furthermore, the Commission found that Teva implemented a systematic disparagement campaign against their competitor by spreading misleading information about its safety, efficacy and therapeutic equivalence with Copaxone, despite all of the above being approved by the relevant health authorities. Teva targeted key stakeholder, including doctors and nation decision-makers for pricing and reimbursement of medicines to slow down or even block the entry of this rival product in several Member States (19).
It is of significance that Teva’s history of alleged fraud, bribery and price fixing is extensive, but Teva has been able to avoid many legal conclusions on the allegations by repeatedly settling cases before legal conclusions are reached. In 2022 Teva reached a $4.25 billion USD multi-state settlement for its role in the US opioid addiction epidemic, including providing support for drug-addicted victims by providing up to Naloxone kits up to a value of $1.2 billion USD. This included no admission of wrongdoing or liability, and is one of the highest valued legal settlements with a pharmaceutical company in world history.
Later that year, another settlement was reached with the state of New York totalling more than $2 billion for Teva’s role in fuelling the opioid crisis. In response to the resolution, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul stated:

‘We are holding Teva Pharmaceuticals accountable for its role in the opioid crisis and the irreparable harm it has done to New Yorkers, their families, and their communities. This company misrepresented its products for decades, flooding the market with dangerous prescription drugs and endangering countless lives.’ (20)

In 2024, Teva again reached a settlement agreement, also significant for an unusual admission by Teva of its unethical behaviour. Between 2006 and 2017, Teva was alleged to have violated and conspired to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) and False Claims Act by paying Medicare patients’ cost sharing obligations (copays) for the multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone from 2006 through 2017, while progressively raising Copaxone’s price. Furthermore, Teva coordinated and conspired with multiple third parties, including a specialty pharmacy and two allegedly independent copay assistance foundations, to ensure that purported donations to the foundations were used specifically to cover the copays of Medicare Copaxone patients, which Teva knew was prohibited by the AKS. Teva thereby caused the submission of false claims to Medicare.

‘For far too long, Teva gamed the charitable foundation process by paying kickbacks through two foundations, and with the aid of a specialty pharmacy. Those kickbacks undermined the purpose of the Medicare co-pay system and violated the AKS,’ (Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts) (21)

We submit that fully 5 out of 10 of the Global Compact Principles have been clearly violated by Teva, with Principles 1 and 2 in active violation given the unwavering support the company has expressed for Israel’s military. This has not changed since the International Court of Justice rendered its interim judgement in January 2024 that the Palestinians were plausibly at risk of genocide, and despite the ongoing litany of attacks against civilians since then, as well as the more recent UN Human Rights Council report concluding that:

'the State of Israel bears responsibility for the failure to prevent genocide, the commission of genocide and the failure to punish genocide.' (9)

Allowing a company with such a record to remain a member damages the integrity of the Global Compact initiative itself.

- The UNGC is often criticized for allowing companies to use their membership for "bluewashing" – using the UN's blue flag for positive public relations without making substantive changes. TEVA's continued membership is a prime example that critics could use to accuse the UNGC of being a "talking shop" without enforcement mechanisms.

- For other members and the public, seeing a company that has paid billions in legal settlements for harmful practices listed alongside genuinely committed organizations erodes trust in the entire compact. It suggests that the commitment letter is merely a formality. Retaining members with such egregious, repeated violations sets a dangerous precedent, signaling that even serious breaches of the principles do not lead to expulsion. This dilutes the value of membership for all companies that are diligently trying to align their operations with the Ten Principles.

- While TEVA may file its annual COP, the substance of its actions contradicts the report's intended spirit. A company can produce a lengthy COP detailing its environmental initiatives and community grants, but if its core business operations involve corrupt practices and contributing to a public health crisis, the COP becomes a hollow public relations document. True progress is measured by a fundamental change in business conduct, not just in reporting. While TEVA has paid fines and settlements, a lack of substantive change in behaviour indicates that these sanctions have been integrated into their costs of doing business rather than genuine contrition. Expulsion from the UNGC would be a powerful non-financial consequence, signaling that true commitment requires more than just paying penalties.

- The United Nations stands for peace, justice, human rights, and international law. A member company that has been found guilty of widespread bribery in multiple countries and whose products have been linked to a massive health crisis creates a stark and untenable ethical contradiction.

- The argument for TEVA's removal is not based on minor infractions but on settled legal cases, well-documented egregious practices and admitted legal transgressions that strike at the very heart of the UN Global Compact's principles. By remaining a member, TEVA undermines the credibility of the UNGC, which risks being seen as an accomplice in "bluewashing" the company's reputation. Removing TEVA would send a strong message that membership requires genuine, substantive adherence to its principles, not just a signature on a page.

We urge the UN Global Compact to remove Teva from its list of participants to avoid rendering the UN Global Compact initiative meaningless.
Yours sincerely,

Global Health BDS for Palestine

References:
1. The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. United Nations Global Compact. Accessed September 11, 2025. unglobalcompact.org/what-is-gc/mission/principles

2. Fabian E. Defense minister announces ‘Complete siege’ of Gaza: No Power, food or fuel. The Times of Israel. October 9, 2023. Accessed September 11, 2025. www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/defense-minister-announces-complete-siege-of-gaza-no-power-food-or-fuel/

3. Sfard M. Israelis must maintain their humanity even when their blood boils: Opinion. Haaretz. October 11, 2023. Accessed September 11, 2025. www.haaretz.com/opinion/2023-10-11/ty-article-opinion/.premium/israelis-must-maintain-their-humanity-even-when-their-blood-boils/0000018b-1e18-d465-abbb-1ebe62c80000

4. McKernan B, Kierszenbaum Q. ‘We’re focused on maximum damage’: ground offensive into Gaza seems imminent. The Guardian. October 10, 2023. Accessed September 11, 2025. www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/10/right-now-it-is-one-day-at-a-time-life-on-israels-frontline-with-gaza

5. World Health Organisation. Famine confirmed for first time in Gaza. 22nd August 2025. Accessed 16th September 2025. www.who.int/news/item/22-08-2025-famine-confirmed-for-first-time-in-gaza

6. UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Pattern of Israeli attacks on Gaza hospitals raises grave concerns – 31st December 2024. Accessed 16th September 2025. www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/12/pattern-israeli-attacks-gaza-hospitals-raises-grave-concerns-report

7. UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Thematic Report - Detention in the context of the escalation of hostilities in Gaza (October 2023-June 2024) - 31st July 2024. Accessed 16th September 2025. www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/countries/opt/20240731-Thematic-report-Detention-context-Gaza-hostilities.pdf

8. Effting M, Feenstra W. What the wounds tell (translated from Dutch). DeVolkskrant. 13th September 2025. Accessed 16th September 2025. www.volkskrant.nl/kijkverder/v/2025/schotwonden-palestijnse-kinderen-israel-oorlog~v1778945

9. UN Human Rights Council. Legal analysis of the conduct of Israel in Gaza pursuant to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. 16th September 2025. Accessed 18th September 2025. www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session60/advance-version/a-hrc-60-crp-3.pdf

10. Nature for Israel. Teva. October 26, 2023. Accessed September 11, 2025. www.teva.co.il/news-and-media/latest-news/teva-together-for-Israel/

11. Teva establishes a new foundation: "Treatment of National Trauma". ice. Accessed September 11, 2025. www.ice.co.il/article/printpage/993690 (Translated from Hebrew)

12. Levanon A. “Israel can give value to global nature beyond its size.” Ynet. April 03, 2025. Accessed September 11, 2025. www.ynet.co.il/economy/article/sknw00ts6jl (Translated from Hebrew)

13. Office of Public Affairs. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA to pay $2.25 million civil penalty for air, water and hazardous waste violations at Missouri Facility. Archives. US Department of Justice. March 14, 2013. Updated February 6, 2025. Accessed September 11, 2025. www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/teva-pharmaceuticals-usa-pay-225-million-civil-penalty-air-water-and-hazardous-waste

14. European Commission. Antitrust: Commission fines Servier and five generic companies for curbing entry of cheaper versions of cardiovascular medicine. 9th July 2014, accessed 15th August 2025. ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_14_799

15. US Securities and Exchanges Commission. Teva Pharmaceutical Paying $519 Million to Settle FCPA Charges. 22nd December 2016, accessed 15th August 2025. www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2016-277

16. Office of Public Affairs. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Agrees to Pay More Than $283 Million to Resolve Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Charges. Archives. US Department of Justice. December 22, 2016. Updated February 5, 2025. Accessed September 11, 2025. www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/teva-pharmaceutical-industries-ltd-agrees-pay-more-283-million-resolve-foreign-corrupt

17. Antitrust: Commission fines Teva and Cephalon €60.5 million for delaying entry of cheaper generic medicine. European Commission. November 26, 2020. Accessed September 11, 2025. ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_2220

18. Major Generic Drug Companies to Pay Over Quarter of a Billion Dollars to Resolve Price-Fixing Charges and Divest Key Drug at the Center of Their Conspiracy. August 21, 2023. Accessed 15th October 2025. www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/major-generic-drug-companies-pay-over-quarter-billion-dollars-resolve-price-fixing-charges

19. Commission fines Teva €462.6 million over misuse of the patent system and disparagement to delay rival multiple sclerosis medicine. European Commission. October 31, 2023. Accessed September 11, 2025. ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_5581

20. Attorney General James Secures $523 Million from Top Opioid Manufacturer Teva, Bringing Total Funds for New Yorkers to More Than $2 Billion. New York State Attorney General. November 3, 2022. Accessed September 11, 2025. ag.ny.gov/press-release/2022/attorney-general-james-secures-523-million-top-opioid-manufacturer-teva-bringing

21. Office of Public Affairs. Drug Maker Teva Pharmaceuticals Agrees to Pay $450M in False Claims Act Settlement to Resolve Kickback Allegations Relating to Copayments and Price Fixing. Archives. US Department of Justice. October 10, 2024. Updated February 6, 2025. Accessed September 11, 2025. www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/drug-maker-teva-pharmaceuticals-agrees-pay-450m-false-claims-act-settlement-resolve-kickback