About us – Sustainability at Galenica
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 commercial success only if we also bear responsibility for society and use natural resources sparingly and efficiently.
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 value of the company in the long term by having a sustainable impact.
Employees
We oblige our employees to act responsibly and ensure they have a safe, flexible and supportive working environment.
Resource efficiency
We use resources sparingly and efficiently and reduce negative environmental impacts.
With these guiding principles, we educate and motivate employees to continuously increase our resource intensity, efficiency, capacity for innovation and, ultimately, competitiveness. On the other hand, 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.
Our key sustainability topics are integrated into the corporate vision and the objectives of the strategic programmes and are therefore part of the corporate strategy.
Sustainability organisation
The Board of Directors bears ultimate responsibility for the economic, environmental and social impact of the Galenica Group. The Governance, Nomination and Sustainability Committee (GNSC) advises the Chair of the Board of Directors and the entire Board of Directors on sustainability. The Committee consists of the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Vice Chair and other members who are elected by the Board of Directors on the proposal of the Chair of the Board of Directors. Among other things, the Committee reviews the relevance matrix and the sustainability goals on an annual basis and ensures that the corporate strategy is geared towards sustainable management. In the reporting year, the GNSC discussed the topic of sustainability twice. The Board of Directors approves the sustainability goals and monitors progress in achieving them. The topic of sustainability was discussed by the Board of Directors four times in 2022. The Executive Committee is responsible for implementing the sustainability goals and integrating sustainability into day-to-day business.
The Sustainability Committee (SC) is led by the Chief Transformation Officer and plays an advisory and coordinating role. The Committee develops specific proposals for implementing 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 be able to cover 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 reporting year. In between Committee meetings, several smaller meetings were held by individual working groups to discuss the progress made with the sustainability goals and the implementation of the measures. In 2022, the measures were further specified or already implemented. This is mainly done in the Business Units. The SC coordinates the activities and the Chief Transformation Officer regularly reports to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
Relevance matrix
In 2021, we carried out a materiality process in accordance with GRI Standards. Internal and external stakeholders – investors, partners, suppliers, customers, associations, employees, 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, environmental 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 relevance matrix. The Executive Committee and the Board of Directors have taken note of the relevance matrix.
Compliance
Compliance refers to compliance with legislation and standards as well as in-house and industry codes. For Galenica, this means, for example, compliance with the Code of Conduct, therapeutic product, health insurance, employment, antitrust, tax and criminal law as well as respect for human rights in all business activities.
Reliable procurement and supply chain
This topic describes how to ensure that the population is supplied with medicines. Supply bottlenecks in the pharmaceutical supply chain are becoming more and more frequent worldwide, including in Switzerland. As a result, the reliable procurement and supply of medicines to the population are becoming increasingly important for Galenica.
IT Security and cybercrime
This topic covers the protection of organisations' IT systems against threats such as cyber attacks. As a healthcare provider, we process sensitive information and data, which is why the topic is highly relevant. We ensure that this information is protected from unauthorised access and unauthorised changes or loss.
Patient safety and health
This topic covers all the effects of products and services on the well-being of patients. This includes the safety and quality of therapeutic products as well as the quality of information and services. Patient safety and health are a top priority for us.
Corporate Governance
Corporate governance refers to good and transparent management of companies. This includes topics such as shareholders' and employees' rights to participate, remuneration and profit-sharing for top management, and information and monitoring tools of the Board of Directors with respect to management. In order to manage the company effectively and efficiently, corporate governance is crucial for us.
Occupational health and safety
This topic covers the impact of our business activities on the physical and mental well-being of all employees. Galenica is responsible for the safety and health protection of its employees and is obliged to prevent any injury to the physical or psychological integrity of its employees in the workplace.
Retention of qualified employees
Retaining qualified employees includes recruiting and retaining them within the company as well as supporting them outside the company. In Switzerland, the shortage of qualified employees is a major challenge. For Galenica, retaining qualified employees plays a key role, particularly in pharmacies and IT.
Employee motivation and development
All questions relating to the employment of competent and motivated employees fall under this aspect. This includes the recruitment of suitable young talent, the retention and development of existing employees by means of training and education as well as the training of apprentices. Our employees play a key role in our success.
Data protection
Data protection encompasses the handling of patient data and describes the protection of patients' privacy with regard to the processing and disclosure of their data. Health data is sensitive data that must be protected by law against misuse. As a healthcare provider, protecting patients and customer data is a high priority for us.
Diversity and equal opportunity
The theme of diversity and equal opportunity involves topics of equality and equal treatment with regard to age, origin, gender and other diversity indicators. The diversity of employees also benefits the innovative capacity of the company as an employer as well as adding to its success and attractiveness. We are committed to diversity and equality and bring together people from 82 nations and all age groups.
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.
Emissions/climate change
Our business activities have various impacts on the environment and climate. In order to provide our services, we consume renewable as well as non-renewable resources. These processes generate gaseous, liquid and solid waste products as well as greenhouse gases. That is why we make every effort to use natural resources sparingly and efficiently and to reduce negative environmental impacts.
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 2022, the SC adjusted some of the goals. This was approved by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors at the end of 2022.
Corporate governance
We train all employees in compliance at least once a year.
Twice a year, we carry out measures to raise employee awareness in the area of data protection.
We make our employees aware of IT security and cybercrime.
Patients
We will increase the use of Clinical Decision Support Checks (CDS.CE) to 500 million by 2025 and 1 billion by 2030.
We will make patient information (PIL) on all Algifor® preparations and important cold products from Verfora available online in two other languages that are relevant for Switzerland by 2022.
We will review the compliance of our top ten suppliers with the Supplier Code of Conduct every three years from 2025.
Employees
We will increase the motivation rate of our employee survey to 75 out of 100 points and the participation rate to 75% by 2024.
We will reduce the time-to-hire for IT and pharmacy positions by 10% by 2024.
We will improve diversity in all Service Units and keep the proportion of female managers at 50%.
Reduction in the number of cases due to mental illness by 5% by 2024.
Reduce the absence rate for occupational and non-occupational accidents by 10% by 2024.
Environment
From 2025, we will be sourcing 100% of our electricity from renewable sources at all our locations.
We will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions produced by all our operations, processes and supply chains by 25% by 2025 and by 50% by 2030.
We will replace 40% of the fossil fuels in our vehicle fleet with renewable alternatives by 2028.
We will reduce our municipal waste by 50% by 2025.
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 objective is central to our business activities and is in line with our customer promise to support people at every stage of 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 are a top priority for us. With personal and competent advice and a unique range of products and services, we support our patients in all life situations at every stage of their lives, promote their well-being and enable people of all ages to lead a healthy life.
Emissions and climate change
We promote the use of renewable energies in distribution and the use of public transport and electromobility by our employees. We always take measures to increase energy efficiency into account and examine the feasibility of installing photovoltaic systems. In addition, we have defined specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, replacing fossil fuels and using exclusively renewable energy sources at all operation 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 for responsible consumption and production.
IT security and cybercrime
With the increasing digitalisation of the healthcare system, the risk of cyber attacks is growing. This is why IT security is highly important at Galenica. As a healthcare provider, we process sensitive information and data. We ensure that they 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 patients 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 contains 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 to optimise 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 and various programmes and opportunities for further development. We also support the next generation of qualified employees by training apprentices. Through all these measures, we are supporting sustainable labour and economic growth in Switzerland.
Retention of qualified employees
Retaining qualified employees 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 qualified employees. In doing so, we are supporting sustainable labour and economic growth in Switzerland.
Occupational health and safety
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 quick return to work after an illness or accident. We are thus making 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 89 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 for a peaceful and inclusive society based on equal participation of all people, as well as strong institutions.
Compliance
We attach great importance to conducting our business activities ethical and legal manner. All of our business activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, and respect for human rights is non-negotiable for us. This is how we contribute to a peaceful and inclusive society.