UK Nursing Body Dumps Israel-Linked Teva After Palestine Campaign

LONDON, Oct 4: The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has ended its commercial partnership with Teva UK, removing the Israeli pharmaceutical company's sponsorship of an upcoming nursing leadership summit following pressure from pro-Palestinian healthcare campaigners.

RCN Council Chair Carmel O’Boyle confirmed in a letter dated Sept. 23 that Teva UK would no longer sponsor the RCNi Nursing Leadership Summit on migraine and headache services, scheduled for Oct. 30. The summit will proceed as planned without Teva’s sponsorship.

The decision followed campaigning by Nurses 4 Palestine and UK Healthcare Petitions to Royal Colleges, which had called on the RCN to end its relationship with Teva, citing the company’s alleged links to Israel’s military and concerns over its corporate record. An open letter dated Sept. 10 urged the RCN to cancel the partnership and review its commercial arrangements.

In its response, the RCN said further due diligence had identified several Teva Pharmaceuticals operations that had been subject to legal sanctions and public scrutiny and that it said were not consistent with the values of the RCN and its publishing and education arm, RCNi. The union also said it would conduct a full review of its commercial partnership policy.

Nurses 4 Palestine welcomed the decision, describing it as a result of sustained campaigning. Teva, meanwhile, said it was disappointed by the decision and argued that healthcare should remain focused on patients rather than politics.

The RCN represents more than 500,000 nurses across the United Kingdom. The affected summit is due to take place at the RCN's London headquarters and will focus on leadership, migraine care and headache services.