Reputation Risk
2004 – Bristol-Myers
Squibb Company
Resolved: That the Board of
Directors review pricing and marketing policies and prepare a report (at
reasonable cost and omitting proprietary information), available to
shareholders by September, 2004, on how our company will respond to rising
regulatory, legislative and public pressure to increase access to and
affordability of needed prescription drugs.
Supporting Statement
The
pharmaceutical industry faces a number of long-term challenges that threaten
our Company’s viability and could adversely affect shareholder value.
“The
pharmaceutical industry and its legal representatives are now beset by a
torrent of suits alleging fraud and predatory pricing, demands for more
stringent regulation, and investigation of longstanding practices in patenting,
promoting and producing drugs.” (Drug Wars, American Bar Association
Journal, December 2002).
The
pharmaceutical industry “depends heavily on public trust” and is particularly
vulnerable in times of crisis and/or controversy, according to Rating Research
LLC. (Reputation Strength Rating,
Rating Research LLC, June 2003).
Only 13%
of people “normally believe a statement by a pharmaceutical company.” (Attitudes to Government Regulation Vary
Greatly For Different Industries, Harris Interactive, 2 April 2003).
57% of
Americans think our industry “should be more regulated by government.” Only 7%
responded they preferred less regulation. (Attitudes
to Government Regulation Vary Greatly For Different Industries, Harris
Interactive, 2 April 2003).
In an annual survey conducted by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and
the Uninsured, nearly all states reported taking action to rein in prescription
drug costs in the past year (Rising Costs
Prompt States to Reduce Medicaid Further, NY Times, 23 September 2003)
Given the
social and political pressures to resolve the issue of accessibility and
affordability of healthcare in the US, we believe the directors of our company
have a duty to inform shareholders of the steps taken to address the challenges
confronting our industry: negative public perceptions, legal actions at state
and federal levels on prescription access and anti-trust issues, law suits
alleging antitrust and consumer fraud violations.
Sponsors:
Lead: Trinity Health, Cathy Rowan Corporate Resp.
Coordinator; American
Baptist Home Mission Society of the American Baptist Churches, USA; Catholic
Health Initiatives; Christus Health; Congregation of St. Joseph of Carondelet,
St. Paul Province; Providence Trust; School Srs of Notre Dame Cooperative
Investment Fund; School Srs. of Notre Dame of St. Louis; Srs. of Charity of St.
Vincent de Paul-NY; Srs. of Mercy Regional Community of Burlingame; Srs. of
Mercy of the Americas - St. Louis Region; Srs. of the Holy Names of Jesus and
Mary of Oregon