Sustainability at Galenica
Sustainability is an integral part of Galenica’s corporate management. This is based on the steadfast belief that proactive and responsible action contributes significantly to the long-term economic success of a company and has an impact both within and outside a company.
Our sustainability principles
We firmly believe that our Group can achieve long-term economic success only if we also bear social responsibility and use natural resources efficiently and respectfully.
This conviction is reflected in the three key sustainability principles of Galenica, in addition to our customer promise. Supported by the Executive Committee, they form an essential part of the Group’s corporate culture.
Company value
We increase the company's value in the long term by acting sustainably.
Employees
We commit our employees to act responsibly and ensure a safe, flexible and supportive working environment.
Resource efficiency
We use resources respectfully and efficiently and reduce negative environmental impacts.
With these guiding principles, we educate and motivate our employees to continuously increase our resource intensity, efficiency, capacity for innovation and, ultimately, competitiveness. At the same time, the lively, ongoing dialogue with the various stakeholders helps to identify requirements and expectations at an early stage and to maintain Galenica’s strong reputation.
Sustainability organisation
The Board of Directors bears ultimate responsibility for the economic, ecological and social impact of the Galenica Group. The Governance, Nomination and Sustainability Committee advises the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and the entire Board of Directors on sustainability. The Committee consists of the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, the Vice Chairman and other members who are elected by the Board of Directors at the suggestion of the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors. Among other things, the Committee reviews the relevance matrix on an annual basis, adopts the sustainability goals and ensures that the corporate strategy is geared towards sustainable management. The Executive Committee is responsible for implementing the sustainability goals and integrating sustainability into day-to-day business.
We have formalised our commitment to social responsibility in the form of the Sustainability Committee (SC). The SC plays an advisory and coordinating role and develops concrete proposals for the implementation of the sustainability strategy for the attention of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. The main task is to systematise internal sustainability management and external reporting and to ensure that the measures are implemented. The Committee is structured in such a way that, in addition to covering all key sustainability topics, all Business and Service Units and the Executive Committee are also represented on the Committee by a responsible person.
The SC met four times in the year under review. In between Committee meetings, several smaller meetings were held by individual working groups in order to draw up the sustainability goals and coordinated measures for all material topics. In 2022, the measures will be further specified or will already have been implemented. This is mainly done by the Business Units or companies responsible. The SC coordinates the activities and the Chief Transformation Officer regularly reports to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
Relevance matrix
In 2017, we identified the key sustainability topics of the Galenica Group internally for the first time and evaluated them from the perspective of the Galenica Group and its key stakeholders. Following in-depth discussions by the SC and the Executive Committee, the material topics were further expanded and clarified in 2020. Finally, in the year under review, we carried out a materiality process in accordance with GRI Standards, with the involvement of external stakeholders for the first time. Internal and external stakeholders – investors, partners, suppliers, customers, associations, employees, public authorities, as well as members of the SC, the Executive Board and the BoD – evaluated the relevance of the topics and the impact of Galenica’s business activities on the social, ecological and economic environment in an online survey. In addition, interviews were held with representatives of all external stakeholder groups to discuss the evaluations and the associated requirements and expectations. The results are presented in the updated relevance matrix. The Executive Committee and the Board of Directors have approved the updated relevance matrix.
Compliance
We attach great importance to conducting our business activities in an ethical and legal manner. All our business activities are carried out in accordance with the applicable legislation. In doing this, we are contributing to a peaceful and inclusive society.
Reliable procurement and supply chain
We work closely with suppliers to ensure the greatest possible availability of medicines. An IT-based scheduling system also helps us optimise our procurement and logistics processes. Reliable provision of medicines to the population is key to promoting health and well-being.
IT security and cybercrime
With the increasing digitalisation of the healthcare system, the risk of cyberattacks is increasing. This is why IT security is a critical topic at Galenica. As a healthcare provider, we process sensitive information and data. We ensure that these are protected against unauthorised access and unauthorised changes or loss. Protecting IT systems is key to a peaceful and inclusive society as well as strong institutions.
Patient safety and health
Patient safety and health is a top priority for us. With personal and expert advice and a unique range of products and services, we support patients at every stage of their lives, promote their well-being and enable people of all ages to lead a healthy life in accordance with SDG 3.
Corporate Governance
Good and transparent corporate governance is crucial for us to manage the company effectively and efficiently. In addition, corporate governance forms the basis of a peaceful and inclusive society based on the equal participation of all people as well as strong institutions.
Health and safety at the workplace
The physical and mental health of employees is very important at Galenica. This is why we take all possible precautions to protect the health and safety of all employees in the workplace. We also operate preventive case management in order to identify potential health risks at an early stage and ensure a swift return to work after an illness or accident. We thus make a significant contribution to the health and well-being of our employees.
Securing skilled workers
Securing skilled workers in the healthcare professions and IT sectors is a major challenge in Switzerland. Our recruitment strategy includes measures to promote the company’s image as an employer, positioning and university marketing for pharmaceutical students in order to secure skilled workers. In doing this, we support sustainable labour and economic growth in Switzerland.
Employee motivation and development
Our employees play a key role in our success. We consistently promote employee motivation and development by offering our employees attractive and fair employment conditions, modern and flexible working models as well as various training and education programmes and opportunities. We also support the next generation of skilled workers by training apprentices. Through all these measures, we support sustainable labour and economic growth in Switzerland.
Data protection
Protecting patient and customer data is a top priority for us. We respect and protect the personal data and privacy of patients when processing their data. Our Data Protection Policy firmly includes general rules on the organisation and responsibilities of the Galenica Group with regard to data protection. Data protection is an important basis of a peaceful and inclusive society as well as strong institutions.
Diversity and equal opportunity
We are committed to diversity and equality and bring together people from 82 countries and all age groups. Three-quarters of employees are women. Our Code of Conduct states that we do not tolerate any discrimination or harassment. We also ensure that salaries are equal between men and women. We ensure equal opportunities and are committed to reducing inequalities. In doing this, we also contribute to SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
Waste and recycling
In addition to traditional municipal waste, we also produce medical and chemical waste. The prevention, reduction, recycling and professional disposal of waste is of central importance to us. We also contribute to biodiversity conservation by disposing of medications properly. Environmentally friendly waste management forms the basis of responsible consumption and production.
Emissions and climate change
We promote the use of renewable energies in distribution, the use of public transport and electromobility by our employees, always take measures to increase energy efficiency into account and check the feasibility of installing photovoltaic systems during renovations. In addition, we have defined specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, replacing fossil fuels and using exclusively renewable energy sources at all our operating sites. We also rely on supply chain partnerships in accordance with SDG 17 to promote recycling with regard to the climate, water and waste. With these measures, we are contributing to the fight against climate change.
Our sustainability goals
The SC has defined specific targets for all material sustainability topics, which were approved by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors at the end of 2021.
In addition, in the financial year 2021 the topic of sustainability was integrated into the goals of the strategic programmes and therefore firmly anchored in the corporate strategy.
Our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form the global reference framework for sustainable development. The Galenica Group is committed to the SDGs. As Switzerland’s leading fully integrated healthcare provider, we make an important contribution to SDG 3 (Health and Well-being). This goal is at the heart of our business activities and is consistent with our customer promise to support people at every stage of their life on their journey towards health and well-being. We also contribute to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) through our corporate activities.
Patient safety and health
Patient safety and health is a top priority for us. With personal and expert advice and a unique range of products and services, we support patients at every stage of their lives, promote their well-being and enable people of all ages to lead a healthy life in accordance with SDG 3.
Emissions and climate change
We promote the use of renewable energies in distribution, the use of public transport and electromobility by our employees, always take measures to increase energy efficiency into account and check the feasibility of installing photovoltaic systems during renovations. In addition, we have defined specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, replacing fossil fuels and using exclusively renewable energy sources at all our operating sites. We also rely on supply chain partnerships in accordance with SDG 17 to promote recycling with regard to the climate, water and waste. With these measures, we are contributing to the fight against climate change.
Waste and recycling
In addition to traditional municipal waste, we also produce medical and chemical waste. The prevention, reduction, recycling and professional disposal of waste is of central importance to us. We also contribute to biodiversity conservation by disposing of medications properly. Environmentally friendly waste management forms the basis of responsible consumption and production.
IT security and cybercrime
With the increasing digitalisation of the healthcare system, the risk of cyberattacks is increasing. This is why IT security is a critical topic at Galenica. As a healthcare provider, we process sensitive information and data. We ensure that these are protected against unauthorised access and unauthorised changes or loss. Protecting IT systems is key to a peaceful and inclusive society as well as strong institutions.
Data protection
Protecting patient and customer data is a top priority for us. We respect and protect the personal data and privacy of patients when processing their data. Our Data Protection Policy firmly includes general rules on the organisation and responsibilities of the Galenica Group with regard to data protection. Data protection is an important basis of a peaceful and inclusive society as well as strong institutions.
Reliable procurement and supply chain
We work closely with suppliers to ensure the greatest possible availability of medicines. An IT-based scheduling system also helps us optimise our procurement and logistics processes. Reliable provision of medicines to the population is key to promoting health and well-being.
Employee motivation and development
Our employees play a key role in our success. We consistently promote employee motivation and development by offering our employees attractive and fair employment conditions, modern and flexible working models as well as various training and education programmes and opportunities. We also support the next generation of skilled workers by training apprentices. Through all these measures, we support sustainable labour and economic growth in Switzerland.
Securing skilled workers
Securing skilled workers in the healthcare professions and IT sectors is a major challenge in Switzerland. Our recruitment strategy includes measures to promote the company’s image as an employer, positioning and university marketing for pharmaceutical students in order to secure skilled workers. In doing this, we support sustainable labour and economic growth in Switzerland.
Health and safety at the workplace
The physical and mental health of employees is very important at Galenica. This is why we take all possible precautions to protect the health and safety of all employees in the workplace. We also operate preventive case management in order to identify potential health risks at an early stage and ensure a swift return to work after an illness or accident. We thus make a significant contribution to the health and well-being of our employees.
Diversity and equal opportunity
We are committed to diversity and equality and bring together people from 82 countries and all age groups. Three-quarters of employees are women. Our Code of Conduct states that we do not tolerate any discrimination or harassment. We also ensure that salaries are equal between men and women. We ensure equal opportunities and are committed to reducing inequalities. In doing this, we also contribute to SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
Corporate Governance
Good and transparent corporate governance is crucial for us to manage the company effectively and efficiently. In addition, corporate governance forms the basis of a peaceful and inclusive society based on the equal participation of all people as well as strong institutions.
Compliance
We attach great importance to conducting our business activities in an ethical and legal manner. All our business activities are carried out in accordance with the applicable legislation. In doing this, we are contributing to a peaceful and inclusive society.