A Human Rights Reporting Framework for the Pharmaceutical Industry

Human Rights are the universal, indivisible, interdependent, and inalienable entitlements every individual possesses by virtue of being a human being. While States have a duty to protect these rights, businesses have a responsibility to respect human rights, i.e. not to infringe on human rights in the course of their operations. In light of the global standard defining the private sector’s responsibility to respect human rights, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP), pharmaceutical companies must proactively avoid the risk of infringing on the human rights, but also utilize their opportunities to promote human rights, including the right to health. Stakeholders expect pharmaceutical companies to comprehend fully their human rights impacts, take necessary actions to prevent harm, and publicly communicate their performance. Yet, no uniform, industry-specific human rights reporting guidance currently exists. 

This project aims to assist research-based pharmaceutical companies by synthesizing best practices for human rights reporting and tailoring them to the unique needs of the industry. Drawing on the academic literature, existing corporate reporting mechanisms, pharmaceutical company reports, and interviews with BSR member pharmaceutical executives and with stakeholders in civil society – including socially responsible investors, access to medicines advocates, and a former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health – the team has developed industry-specific human rights reporting guidelines. The guidelines translate the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights - the reigning standard on business and human rights – into concrete action steps for the sector that can help to create a more responsible pharmaceutical sector.