Guidelines

Ethics and transparency are central to our public affairs activities. Whenever we are engaged in public affairs activities that address issues which are material to the company or of significant public interest, we state our interests and positions in an open and honest manner. We make our position statements available online or in readily available written publications.

Our Business Ethics policy and procedures set standards for our public affairs activities and engagement with stakeholders such as public officials, healthcare professionals and other third parties.

See also the business ethics.

Interactions with public officials

Novo Nordisk observes proper conduct and acts with integrity in interactions with public officials. Our representatives may interact with public officials for the purpose of discussing legitimate Novo Nordisk business in an open manner. Novo Nordisk employees must never offer anything of value to a public official for the purpose of obtaining an improper benefit for the company. Whenever we engage in dialogue and negotiations with public officials, we ensure full openness about whom and what interests are represented. This also includes instances where intermediaries are used to represent the interests of Novo Nordisk.


Conflicts of interests

To avoid the appearance or suspicion that any action or decision has been influenced by personal considerations, a conflict of interest always disqualifies an employee from acting on behalf of the company. In general, a close relative of a Novo Nordisk employee should not have any business dealings with that employee, with anyone working in the employee's business unit, or with anyone who reports to the employee.

Interaction with patient organisations

Partnerships and collaboration with patient organisations are essential to our strategic priority of helping people with diabetes or other chronic conditions live better lives. These interactions provide us with valuable insights into how the lives of people with chronic conditions are affected. In addition, assistance from pharmaceutical companies like us helps patient organisations to carry out their work in support of patients and their caregivers.

We collaborate with patient organisations in an open and transparent manner to ensure their independence and integrity and our own ethical standards. Our support is based on written agreements that clearly state the purpose of the support as well as the amount and a description of indirect support and any significant non-financial support.

For disclosure of our patient group donations, click here.