With increasing pressure from stakeholders – including consumers – companies in all segments, not just in the healthcare sector, are beginning to understand that ESG policies must be increasingly consistent, and not just positive marketing. This point of view is corroborated by the CEO Outlook Brazil gathering, prepared by the global consulting firm KPMG in mid 2022 with the Brazilian leaders consultation of companies from different sectors. For 50% of the Brazilian respondents, taking a more proactive approach to social issues, such as increasing investment in living wages, human rights, and a just transition, is the main factor for accelerating their organizations’ ESG strategy in the next three years.

They also indicate as positive the implementation of a net zero strategy (20%), the delivery of an inclusion and diversity strategy to address equity in leadership (24%), and the increased implementation of assessment metrics and governance to develop a more robust and transparent approach to ESG (6%). And yet: 86% of Brazilian leaders are aware of the significant stakeholder’s demand for reporting and more transparency on ESG issues, especially from institutional investors.

It is not much different outside Brazil. And, in this case, with the focus on the health area. A survey conducted by the Health Research Institute (HRI), linked to the consultancy PwC Brazil, reveals the trends and actions of companies in the pharmaceutical and bioscience sectors around the ESG agenda. 32 organizations were consulted in order to identify what has been done so far.

More than half of the leaders in this sector who responded to a survey of U.S. executive leaders conducted by PwC said they expected to increase diversity and inclusion training (58%) and the publicity on the

topic (52%) in the next 12 months. Another 40% said that their organizations would increase the board members diversity.  The analysis also provided insight into some of the measures taken by companies to develop their ESG programs.

• In the Environmental scope, the following initiatives were listed: sustainable vehicle fleet; carbon neutrality in 5-10 years; advanced waste management; and manufacturing costs reduction, through investment in continuous manufacturing or other technologies.

• In the Social realm, the following were mentioned: significant financial contributions to affordable medicines and therapies for underserved communities; early adoption and incorporation of diversity in clinical trials for research and development; supply chain resilience based on supplier diversity and risk assessment; efforts to improve product safety; and comprehensive D&I (diversity and inclusion) measures such as recruitment and mentoring programs.

• Regarding Governance, companies indicated: comprehensive corporate social responsibility reporting to monitor and share measurable progress on ESG; ESG leadership appointment; gender and racial diversity on boards; pay equity wage goals; and ethics, compliance, and fraud policies.