The Abacus Medicine Code of Conduct is based on three highly interdependent areas:
• Society
• External Relations
• Internal Relations
The three areas highlight our different types of responsibilities towards different stakeholder groups. We do not, however, prioritize between the areas or groups. If a business practice or suggested course of action in one area is deemed to be in conflict with another, we should seek to find a different solution altogether.
Society
Environment
We consider how to avoid adverse impacts on the environment and we carry out environmental risk assessments of relevant activities and projects. We use environmentally friendly technologies and services to contribute to an ongoing sustainable development.
As the company grows, we will strive to reduce our relative environmental footprint. The environment is a priority in the Abacus Medicine CSR policy.
Good health and wellbeing
Abacus Medicine helps to make original medicines available at a lower cost, benefitting patients and the public budgets. As a supplier of medicines for clinical trials we are a link in the long chain supporting R&D.
We constantly improve our efficient ordering, repackaging and delivery systems to improve access to many medicines, including medicines that in some countries might not otherwise be available at all.
Values in action: Active in the battle against counterfeit medicines
Falsified and counterfeit medicines are a serious and unfortunately increasing problem. Abacus Medicine is an active participant in the fight against these falsified and counterfeit pharmaceutical products.
- We have developed and implemented our own risk based approach, combining internal controls with regular audits of suppliers and transporters
- We conduct tailor-made training programs with selected suppliers to bolster the first line of defense. We train employees at our suppliers in techniques to screen and ultimately reject suspicious products before they enter our supply chain
- In line with the rest of pharma industry, we are currently investing considerable resources in implementing the EU’s Falsified Medicines Directive. Abacus Medicine will be fully compliant well in time of the February 2019 deadline
Decent work and economic growth
Throughout its existence, Abacus Medicine has achieved significant growth while remaining profitable. This allows us to pay taxes and provide hundreds of jobs with attractive remuneration, thus securing livelihoods for families in several countries. We are happy to fulfil our tax obligations and have a formulated transfer price policy.
We have job opportunities for people of all levels of education and skill, including people with disabilities. We provide internal training and support for necessary education.
As an employer, we are proud of our tradition of hiring young people and empowering them from the onset. We offer a working environment where talented people can challenge themselves and grow, and this makes Abacus Medicine able to regularly attract candidates from the leading institutions of higher education.
External relations
Authorities and audits
As a distributor of pharmaceutical products, Abacus Medicine is subject to strict rules and we are regularly inspected by authorities and business partners. We carry out detailed quality assurance, and we always welcome and collaborate in audits to show authorities and business partners how we are in compliance with the rules.
We maintain positive working relations with regulators and policy makers. We regularly serve as a well-informed conversation partner regarding the market conditions shaping our industry.
Supplier relations
We work with a large number of suppliers – more than 250 for medicines alone. Our suppliers are vital to our business, just as Abacus Medicine is vital to the business of many of our suppliers.
We seek loyal, long-term partnerships with our business partners. We believe in the principle of growing together, and we will do our utmost to offer a steady, continuous order flow in a market where prices may fluctuate.
Customer relations
Customer relations hold a unique position in the parallel distribution industry where demand always exceeds supply. At Abacus Medicine, we seek to be not just a supplier of products, but a business partner for long-term growth.
We value a high level of openness and transparency in discussions with our customers, and we share relevant price data or market information as much as possible. Because we operate in multiple European countries, we are often able to offer our customers a wider perspective with insights and best practices from other markets.
Corruption, bribery and gifts
We disassociate ourselves from corruption, bribery and money laundering in any and all forms. We wish to compete and do business on fair and equal conditions, and we expect the same from our business partners. We do not have any unrecorded money.
Abacus Medicine’s anti-corruption policy describes our guidelines to avoid corruption and bribery and how to handle gifts from business partners. The policy will be implemented in 2018.
Values in action: Abacus Medicine gift policy
Employees are not allowed to receive extravagant gifts or gifts of a value that may potentially put the employee in a dependency relationship with the donor. After consulting with the nearest manager, such gifts must either be returned politely or passed on to Abacus Medicine in order for the gift to be pooled together with other gifts received and lots will be then drawn among interested employees.
Similarly, as an employee and representative of Abacus Medicine, you should only give gifts to customers, suppliers and other business partners that are inexpensive and are not likely to be in conflict with internal rules of the recipient’s employer.
Internal relations: Colleagues and co-workers
Health and safety
The well-being of people is an important asset at Abacus Medicine. We seek to provide a safe, healthy and productive work environment, and we work according to strict labour laws. We evaluate risks in our daily work environment and take necessary precautions to prevent accidents or injuries.
We often work hard. Long hours are not uncommon, but no one should work around the clock. Managers and employees have a shared responsibility in ensuring a sound balance between work and leisure in order to be able to continuously perform on a healthy, high level.
A culture of ambitious cooperation
At our core, Abacus Medicine is a respectful, diverse and business casual working environment, free of discrimination and with great opportunities for all to prosper. We are ambitious and to attract the most talented people we offer attractive and competitive terms.
Values in action: Whistleblowing
Abacus Medicine is implementing a whistleblower system to ensure no colleague has knowledge, which he or she is afraid to tell. The whistleblowing system will be managed by an independent law firm and will make it possible to convey information anonymously in situations where our regular, internal lines of reporting may not be sufficient.
The whistleblower contact will be available on abacusmedicine.com.
Quality and Compliance
Abacus Medicine is a young company with a young workforce. We praise an entrepreneurial mindset and the courage to do things differently. This ethos, however, is never in conflict with our dedication to quality and compliance.
At Abacus Medicine, we are subject to the strict regulations of the pharmaceutical supply chain. We welcome this and work with the highest level of quality assurance throughout our processes.
We are serious about confidentiality and every employee is subjected to it. We do not distribute sensitive information about employees, job applicants, business agreements or business partners.
Jedes Fokusprogramm hat spezifische Ziele, sowie einen separaten Action Plan. Die Anzahl an Fokusprogrammen variiert von Jahr zu Jahr.