Novartis secures leading positions in influential sustainability index and international reputational ranking
- Novartis named 2006 Super Sector Leader in healthcare for the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), ranks No. 7 in Dow Jones European STOXX Index
- Ranking in the 2006 edition of Barron’s “World’s 100 Most Respected Companies” improved to No. 2 in healthcare sector and to No. 23 across all industries
September 22, 2006 - Novartis has been named the Super Sector Leader among healthcare companies in the annual update of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, a global index tracking the performance of sustainability-driven companies worldwide based on economic, environmental and social performance. In addition, among all industries, Novartis was ranked No. 7 in the Dow Jones STOXX Sustainability Index for Europe, which comprises the leading companies in terms of sustainability for the region.
At the same time, the US weekly business newspaper Barron’s has ranked Novartis as No. 2 among healthcare companies in its latest survey of the “World’s Most Respected Companies.” Novartis improved its position by three places to No. 23 across all industries. The ranking was based on a survey measuring the views of professional investors toward leading companies.
“We are delighted to have been selected as the healthcare leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. This achievement recognizes our efforts to integrate sustainability in our business strategy and shows that corporate citizenship is essential to our long-term economic success,” said Thomas Wellauer, Head of Corporate Services at Novartis.
How Novartis was rated in the DJSI
Sustainability Asset Management (SAM), which performs the assessment for membership and ranking, said in its report that “sustainability forms an integral part of the strategy of Novartis and plays an important role in the evolution of its operations. The company takes a lead vis-à-vis its peers in various areas such as Risk & Crisis Management System, Codes of Conduct, Environmental Performance and Environmental Reporting.”
The total score given to Novartis is 82% while the industry average is 47%. The company is given full scores (100%) for its performance on the following six parameters:
- Codes of Conduct/Compliance/Corruption and Bribery
- Environmental Performance (eco-efficiency)
- Environmental Reporting
- Advanced Environmental Performance
- Environmental Policy/Management System
- Strategy to Improve Access to Drugs in Developing Countries
Moreover, the strong financial performance of Novartis has allowed the Group to increase its access-to-medicines programs to reach approximately 6.5 million patients in 2005 with nearly USD 700 million of products donated or sold at cost.
To view a detailed report showing the sustainability performance of Novartis, click here