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GSK Consumer Healthcare

OVERALL

Owned
UK
Rating
Criticisms

Pharmaceuticals

This huge consumer healthcare joint venture between GSK and Pfizer kicked off in August 2019. GSK intends to demerge the joint venture in 2022, creating two new UK-based global companies focused on pharmaceuticals/vaccines and consumer healthcare.

Company Ownership

GSK Consumer Healthcare   UK     website         
  GlaxoSmithKline Plc   
   owns 68% of GSK Consumer Healthcare  
UK     website   email   facebook   twitter

Pharmaceuticals

One of the top five pharmaceutical companies in the world. Completed a series of asset swaps with Novartis in 2015 worth more than $20bn, which includes forming a consumer health joint venture, which GSK took over full ownership of in 2018.

  Pfizer Inc   
   owns 32% of GSK Consumer Healthcare  
USA     website   email   facebook   twitter

Pharmaceuticals

World's largest research-based pharmaceuticals firm. Its products include Viagra, Benadryl and Sudafed. Bought Wyeth in 2009 for US$68 billion. In 2019 Pfizer and GSK merged their consumer healthcare divisions.

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
GSK Consumer Healthcare
Business Ethics Joint Venture between two companies with criticisms
GSK Consumer Healthcare is a joint venture between the consumer health divisions of GSK and Pfizer. Both companies have criticisms and a Shop Ethical rating of 'F'.
Source: Shop Ethical (2020)
Business Ethics 16/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 16/100 in the Food Products category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 7 Feb 2021). 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 (2021)
GlaxoSmithKline Plc
Social Access to Medicine ranking
GSK received the highest score in the Access to Medicine Index 2018, a ranking of the world's 20 largest pharmaceutical companies on their efforts to increase access to medicine in developing countries.
Source: Access to Medicine Index (2018)
Social CDP Water Security Score of A
In 2020, 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 (2020)
Business Ethics 88/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 88/100 in the Pharmaceuticals category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 7 Feb 2021). 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 (2021)
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of B
In 2020, 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 (2020)
Social 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 (2020)
Social 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)
Social 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)
Social 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)
Animals 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 (2020)
Business Ethics 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)
Environment 34% in Forest 500 Rankings
The Forest 500 identifies, ranks, and tracks the governments, companies and financial institutions worldwide that together could virtually eradicate tropical deforestation. Rankings are based on their public policies and commitments and potential impacts on tropical forests in the context of forest risk commodities (palm oil, soy, beef, leather, timber and paper). This company received a score of 34%.
Source: Forest 500 (2020)
Environment 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)
Environment Supply chain practices in China
This company received a score of 10.8/100 (retrieved 10-Oct-2020) in the Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI), a system for evaluating supply chain practices in China, particularly in regards to environmental management and water pollution. Scores are calculated using government compliance data, online monitoring data, and third-party environmental audits, as well as trends in the environmental performance of factories in the company's supply chains.
Source: IPE (2020)
Business Ethics Fined US$55m for fraud 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)
Business Ethics 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)
Social 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)
Social 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)
Social 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)
Social 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)
Business Ethics 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)
Business Ethics 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)
Business Ethics 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.
Source: Project on Government Oversight (POGO) (2014)
Environment Carbon Trust Standard bearer
The Carbon Trust Standard recognises organisations for real carbon reduction. They certify organisations that have measured, managed and genuinely reduced their carbon footprint and committed to making further reductions year on year. This company won their award for 'Best in continuing carbon reduction (2012-13)'.
Source: Carbon Trust (2013)
Environment 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; improve water security.
Source: We Mean Business (2017)
Social Gender equality
The Female FTSE Board Report 2015 examines the percentage of women on the UK's FTSE 100 boards of directors. This company was one of 41 in the FTSE 100 with at least 25% female directors.
Source: Cranfield University (2015)
Social Mum-friendly employer
This company was named in the Working Mother 100 Best Companies 2020 for being a mum-friendly employer. Listed companies demonstrate progress in offering paid parental leave and opportunities to return to work gradually, as well as family-friendly benefits and opportunities for women to advance.
Source: Working Mother (2020)
Social 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: Modern Slavery Registry (2017)
Business Ethics 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)
Business Ethics 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 (2014)
Business Ethics 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)
Information 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."
Source: Corporate Research Project (2018)
Information 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)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Joint venture
Subsidiaries GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Australia Pty Ltd 

Pharmaceuticals manufacturer

In 2019 GSK and Pfizer merged their consumer health businesses, creating a joint venture called GSK Consumer Healthcare.


Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Pty Ltd 

Pharmaceuticals manufacturer and distributor

Contact Details

Address United Kingdom
Website www.gsk.com

Products / Brands

GSK Consumer Healthcare Australia
Advil Pain Relief Tablets
Benefiber Laxatives
Biotene Mouthwash
Biotene Toothpaste
Caltrate Vitamins
Centrum Vitamins
Chap Stick Lip Care
De-Gas Digestive Care
Dimetapp Cold & Flu
Eno Digestive Care
Lamisil Foot Care
Macleans Toothbrush
Macleans Toothpaste
Macleans Mouthwash
Nicabate Quit Smoking
Otrivin Cold & Flu
Panadol Pain Relief Tablets
Panadol Cold & Flu
Panafen Pain Relief Tablets
Polident Toothpaste
Pronamel Toothpaste
Robitussin Cold & Flu
Sensodyne Dental Floss
Sensodyne Toothpaste
Sensodyne Mouthwash
Voltaren Topical Pain Relief
Zovirax Lip Care


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