The Royal College of Nursing has terminated its commercial partnership and event sponsorship with drug company Teva UK following pressure from campaign groups.
Key facts
- •The RCN represents more than 500,000 nurses in the UK.
- •Teva UK was scheduled to sponsor an RCNi nursing leadership summit on October 30, 2026.
- •Teva Pharmaceuticals is one of the NHS’s largest suppliers of medicines.
- •Pro-Palestine groups are now calling on the Royal College of Pharmacy to drop Teva UK as a sponsor for its upcoming conference.
- •Teva has been ordered to pay roughly £1 billion in fines globally over the last decade for bribery, price-fixing, and market abuse.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which represents over 500,000 UK nurses, has cut ties with Teva UK, the British arm of the global pharmaceutical firm. The union ended the company's role as a commercial partner and as a sponsor for an upcoming event on migraine and headache services. The decision follows pressure from campaign groups Nurses for Palestine and UK Healthcare Petitions to Royal Colleges, which cited the firm's links to the Israeli military and corporate misconduct.
By the numbers
Reasons for the Decision
Carmel O’Boyle, chair of the RCN’s ruling council, stated that further due diligence revealed Teva Pharmaceuticals’ operations that were subject to legal sanction and public scrutiny. She noted these operations did not align with the values of the RCN and its publishing arm, RCNi. The RCN emphasized that it aims to maintain commercial relationships only with companies that reflect the values of the nursing profession.
Corporate Misconduct and Legal History
Teva has faced significant legal penalties over the last decade, totaling approximately £1 billion in fines and payments. In 2024, the European Commission fined the company €462.6 million for blocking competition for its multiple sclerosis drug, Copaxone. In 2023, the firm agreed to pay $225 million to the US Department of Justice regarding price-fixing charges, and in 2016, it paid $519 million to settle charges involving bribery of officials in Russia, Ukraine, and Mexico.
Responses to the Termination
Teva expressed disappointment in the decision, stating that healthcare should remain focused on patients rather than being politicized. The company noted its role as a major supplier of medicines to the NHS and indicated it is seeking further dialogue with the RCN. Conversely, campaign groups welcomed the move, with Nurses for Palestine stating that the company should not sponsor bodies dedicated to care and preserving human life.
Timeline
- 2016Teva paid $519 million to settle civil and criminal charges involving bribery in Russia, Ukraine, and Mexico.
- 2023Teva agreed to pay $225 million to the US Department of Justice to settle price-fixing charges.
- 2024The European Commission fined Teva €462.6 million for blocking competition for its drug Copaxone.
- October 30, 2026The RCNi nursing leadership summit on migraine and headache services is scheduled to take place.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Guardian Health.
