Ethics and compliance

We are committed to high standards of ethical conduct and are active partners in several global initiatives

Said Darwazah, Chairman

Said Darwazah, Chairman

We are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in the conduct of our global business operations, which is grounded in our culture of progress and belonging, and powered by our three core values: innovative, caring and collaborative. We respect and uphold the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Our values serve as the foundation for a strong governance framework that is fundamental to our long-term organisational success.
Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct, available in seven languages, sets out behaviours we expect from our employees as we conduct our business, and provides an overview of our legal, regulatory and ethical requirements. Our Code provides guidance to our employees and partners on the ethics of Hikma’s business activities through the identification and discussion of various risks associated with our business. Hikma employees, officers and directors are trained on the Code of Conduct as part of their induction and are provided refresher training periodically. The completion rate for our Code of Conduct training is 98%.
Policies, procedures and processes

Policies, procedures and processes

In addition to our Code, we have developed policies and procedures designed to help employees and third parties put our desired behaviours into practice. These policies and procedures are communicated to employees and third parties through training and are available on Hikma’s learning management system and our intranet site. Through our global compliance programme, we have adopted internal controls and management processes to ensure the responsible and ethical conduct of our business. This includes compliance with all relevant global and local laws, codes and regulations wherever we operate.
Transparency and raising concerns

Transparency and raising concerns

We believe in transparency and promote a culture that encourages employees to raise any concerns about potential violation of laws and regulations, or any other behaviours or incidents that do not comply with our Code of Conduct. Our speak up line provides both internal and external stakeholders a resource to confidentially raise concerns about suspected misconduct. All cases received are reviewed by our Legal and Compliance teams, and investigated, as appropriate, by legal and compliance personnel. Substantiated violations of our Code of Conduct, or other policies and procedures are addressed through our disciplinary procedures.

Responding to Potential Violations

Responding to Potential Violations

Potential violations of our Corporate Compliance programme are investigated with oversight by the company’s Corporate Investigations Committee which is comprised of the Chief Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and EVP Organizational Development. Disciplinary actions for violations are addressed in the Hikma Code of Conduct, and supporting policies. Hikma has a progressive disciplinary process up to and including termination of employment depending upon the severity of the violation. Disciplinary actions will be timely implemented to ensure that the incident is resolved and to prevent any potential reoccurrence.

Bribery and corruption zero tolerance

Bribery and corruption zero tolerance

We have a zero-tolerance policy for bribery and corruption at Hikma. As a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), we are subject to the regulations of the UK Listing Authority. We also comply with the UK Bribery Act 2010 and the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as well as global anti-corruption standards and local anti-bribery and corruption laws. Our Compliance, Responsibility and Ethics Committee (CREC), a Board-level committee, provides oversight of our global compliance programme and the management of associated risks, including bribery and corruption. The Committee receives regular updates on the internal auditing and monitoring programme conducted by our compliance team. In addition, the Committee retains independent third parties to conduct periodic audits of the compliance programme and related activities.
Defending the principles of human rights

Defending the principles of human rights

We are committed to protecting human rights and upholding the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA). We take measures to ensure that modern slavery in the form of slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking is not taking place in any part of Hikma’s business or in those of our partners and suppliers. Our organisation is dedicated to achieving best practices across our operations, including our supply chain, and we work alongside our industry partners to uphold ethical labour practices and safeguard human rights. Our Code of Conduct sets out our policy on modern slavery.
Oversight

Oversight

Our Chief Compliance Officer is a member of senior management, and responsible for the day-to-day management of Hikma’s Corporate Compliance Programme including drafting policies and procedures, training, auditing, monitoring, and conducting investigations. The Chief Compliance Officer provides periodic reports on the operation of the Corporate Compliance Programme to Hikma’s Executive Committee and the Corporate Responsibility and Ethics Committee (CREC), the body with ultimate authority over Hikma’s Corporate Compliance Programme responsible for assisting the Board of Directors in meeting their responsibilities as they relate to the compliance-related activities of the organization.
Auditing and monitoring

Auditing and monitoring

The Corporate Compliance function conducts auditing and monitoring activities designed to assess compliance with Hikma’s compliance-related policies, procedures and processes and identify needs. In addition, Hikma’s Board of Directors retains the services of an independent third party to conduct annual compliance audits of operations and a periodic evaluation of Hikma’s Corporate Compliance programme.

Latest news

Hikma launches generic version of Vyvanse® following FDA approval
31 August 2023
Hikma launches Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection, USP, in the US
29 August 2023
Hikma and SK Biopharmaceuticals enter a strategic partnership for the Middle East and North Africa
18 August 2023

Last reviewed on 30 May 2022