Position on key issues

In our focus to help patients with serious diseases, we have developed clear positions on important policies and topics related to healthcare, regulatory, intellectual property and pricing. Learn more about our positions below.

 

 

Access to medicines in the developing world position

We continue the quest to increase access to medicines for those in need through research and development, our partnership with patients, advocacy groups, health care providers, industry, governments and NGOs, and our focus on healthcare infrastructure, product quality and safety.

Animal Welfare

We uphold the highest standards of ethical responsibility for the care and welfare of research animals while contributing to the discovery and development of innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) position

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a natural process that occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites develop the ability to survive against the drugs designed to kill them. 

Bioethics policy statement

We are committed to conducting activities related to non-clinical and clinical research and development of our pharmaceutical products in accordance with the highest legal, ethical and scientific standards.

Biosimilars position

We support the establishment of a regulatory pathway for the approval of biosimilars that is driven by the best available science, considers efficacy and patient safety and preserves incentives for future biologic innovation.

Climate change position

BMS believes that the health of people is inextricably linked to the health of the planet, and we remain committed to improving environmental health in all the places we live, work and sell our products today.

Clinical trial communication commitment

We believe that making clinical trial information available to patients, investigators, researchers and physicians is a critical part of our commitment to transparency, scientific exchange and, ultimately, innovation.

Clinical trial diversity position

Clinical trials are an integral step in the development of new, potentially life-saving drugs and therapies.


Counterfeit drugs position

Counterfeit drugs and product tampering, theft or diversion represent a threat to providing our customers with the safest, most effective and highest quality products. While there is no single solution to this issue, we have efforts in place to help ensure the integrity of our products within the supply chain and further patient safety.

Drug shortages position

BMS is committed to minimizing the impact of drug shortages on patients and supports ongoing and balanced discussions with regulatory authorities and policymakers to address both anticipated and unanticipated drug shortfalls.

Early patient access to investigational medicines

We welcome requests for early patient access from physicians treating patients who face a serious or life-threatening illness and have no further treatment options or a clinical trial available to them. Our goal is to ensure that appropriate patients can obtain access to our investigational medicines.

ESG governance and operating model

Sound Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) management practices and oversight are considered to be a strategic component of businesses that are successful over the long term, helping enhance shareholder value as well as delivering benefits to all of our stakeholders. Read more about our ESG governance and operating model.


How we price our medicines

We are committed to providing access to our prescription medicines at fair prices to further our mission to help patients prevail over serious diseases. We take great care to price our medicines based on the value they deliver, the scientific innovation they represent, economic factors that impact health care systems’ capacity to provide appropriate, rapid and sustainable access to patients, and the investment necessary to develop them.

Global position statement on human rights

Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is committed to respecting human rights throughout our own business and our value chain. 

Intellectual property (IP) position

Intellectual property (IP) encourages and protects innovation, promoting future research and development (R&D) of innovative medicines for patients with unmet needs. 

Interactions with healthcare providers - Sunshine Act (US)

As a proponent of transparency, we support the U.S. Physician Payments Sunshine Act as an extension of our own efforts to increase public awareness of the positive role that physician-industry collaboration plays in helping patients prevail over serious diseases.

Medicines for patients with rare diseases position

Developing orphan drugs to treat rare disease patients is a complex undertaking. 

Pandemic preparedness position

At BMS, we aim to contribute to a world that is better prepared to prevent and respond to pandemics, minimizing loss of life and livelihoods for communities globally.  

Pharmaceuticals in the environment position

Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to protecting the health and safety of our employees, contractors, customers, the public and the environment by conducting business in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.

PhRMA's code on interactions with healthcare professionals

We are committed to following the highest ethical standards and all legal requirements in our promotion of drugs to health care professionals. Our drug promotion is guided by our company’s mission and commitment and guidelines such as the Code on Interactions with Health Care Professionals developed by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

PhRMA's guiding principles on direct-to-consumer advertisements

We have a long-standing commitment to responsible and effective consumer communications. We believe responsible direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising can foster informed conversations between patients and their health care professionals. We have adopted DTC advertising guidelines developed by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

Policy and advocacy engagement and political contributions

In our effort to pursue our mission, we provide information, analysis and opinion to legislators and government leaders to allow for informed and balanced decision-making in regard to various public policies. We also participate in the political process by contributing prudently to state and local candidates and political organizations when such contributions are permitted by federal, state and local laws.

Pricing

We are committed to providing access to our prescription medicines at fair prices to further our mission to help patients prevail over serious diseases.

Strengthening health systems position

BMS believes we need strong and resilient healthcare systems globally. We strive to contribute in meaningful ways to enable holistic solutions that address systemic challenges and root causes hindering access.


Supply chain position

BMS believes that diverse, global supply chains are essential to preventing interruptions in the manufacturing of medicines.

Support for European patient organizations

As part of our mission to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases, Bristol Myers Squibb and the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation support patient organizations across Europe through partnerships, grants and charitable contributions.

Tax Policy

Tax is a critical element of Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) corporate responsibility and part of our commitment to ensure that we are operating in a way that is ethical and responsible.

Transparency position

Many stakeholders, including policymakers and non-governmental organizations, have shown an increased interest in the disclosure of information related to medicines across a variety of domains.


Value assessments position

Value assessments (VAs) refer to the different approaches used to assess value, including Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) and other value frameworks, that measure the magnitude of clinical benefit (sometimes in relation to costs).