World’s Largest Nursing Organization Cuts Ties with Israeli Drugmaker

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the world’s largest nursing organization, has ended its commercial relationship with Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva, citing concerns over the company’s alleged links to the Israeli military, as well as past allegations of corruption and bribery.

The decision was reported by Middle East Eye. According to the report, the RCN removed Teva UK as a sponsor and partner of an upcoming event scheduled to take place at the RCN’s headquarters in London on October 30.

The RCN represents around 600,000 nurses. The decision followed campaigns by Nurses for Palestine and UK Healthcare Petitions to Royal Colleges.

An open letter signed by nurses, midwives and other healthcare workers criticized the RCN’s partnership with Teva. The letter alleged that the company was linked to the Israeli military system and had been involved in various forms of misconduct.

RCN Council Chair Carmel O’Boyle confirmed the decision in a letter to Nurses for Palestine.

She said the RCN would no longer have a commercial partnership with Teva UK. However, the October 30 event will go ahead as scheduled.

The RCN said that following additional due diligence, it had identified information concerning legal sanctions and public criticism related to several activities of Teva Pharmaceuticals. The organization said these issues were inconsistent with the values of the RCN and its education and publishing arm, RCNi.

Several pro-Palestinian organizations welcomed the decision, describing it as an important development for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, or BDS, movement.

Teva, however, expressed disappointment with the RCN’s decision and accused the organization of allowing healthcare to become politicized.

Teva is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of generic medicines. According to Middle East Eye, the company has been fined nearly £1 billion, or $1.3 billion, by European and US authorities over the past decade over allegations involving price-fixing, bribery and abuse of market power.

Teva is also facing a new lawsuit in the United States over allegations of price-fixing.