Sustainability
Corporate Governance
Promotion of Compliance
As a pharmaceutical company interacting with people’s health, we, at Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical, are required to conduct business with respect for the dignity of life, humility toward science, and good sense toward society. We faithfully comply with the laws and regulations of the relevant countries as well as the basic rules and regulations of society in our various business activities and act with high ethical standards, aiming to fulfill our corporate philosophy “Delivering a Better QOL to the World.”
Corporate Charter
Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical sells Salonpas and other drugs to the world and promotes “TE-A-TE” culture to customers worldwide. In order to ensure compliance with national and international laws and regulations and corporate ethics in the international community, we have established the “Hisamitsu Corporate Charter,” which sets forth our basic stance as a company. Furthermore, to put the “Hisamitsu Corporate Charter” into practice, we have established the “Compliance Program” as a code of conduct to be observed by the company and its employees.
Hisamitsu Corporate Behavior Charter
To continue to deliver a better QOL to the world, we shall respect human rights in and outside Japan in accordance with the following provisions, comply with all applicable laws, regulations and standards, and act in accordance with high ethical standards.
1 Items considered for corporate behavior as a pharmaceutical company
- [1]We will actively conduct research and development of medical products that will help promote human health and provide a stable supply of effective, safe, and high-quality medical products.We will also endeavor to improve the efficiency of medical costs by developing medical products with high medical-economic efficiency.
- [2]In the performance of our clinical studies, we will gain the cooperation of the medical institutions, respect the study subjects’ human rights, give consideration to safety, and ensure scientific accuracy.
In the performance of our animal experiments necessary as nonclinical studies, we will give full consideration to animal welfare. - [3]To ensure the proper use of medical products, we will provide scientifically based accurate information, from domestic and overseas sources, on quality, efficacy, and safety of medical products and will promptly collect, analyze, evaluate, and convey post-marketing information.
- [4]We will engage in fair, transparent and free competition that is appropriate for a pharmaceutical company and strive to improve the ethical standards of our employees in order to maintain sound, normal relationships with political and administrative officials, healthcare professionals, and other parties concerned.
2 Corporate behavior as a corporate citizen
- [5]In light of the development of advanced IT technologies, we will give full consideration to and take every possible measure for the proper protection of personal and customer information.
- [6]We will control internal corporate information in an appropriate manner, communicate generally with stakeholders surrounding us, and disclose our corporate information in a timely and appropriate manner through PR and other activities.
- [7]We will respect and acknowledge the value of intellectual property rights, including patents and copyrights. We will not obtain or use any intellectual property in an unauthorized manner.
- [8]We will respect the diversity, personality and individuality of our employees, provide them with comfort and welfare, and secure a safe, positive working environment for them.
We will also strive to improve the sense of ethics and the qualities of our employees. - [9]We will stand firm against antisocial forces and organizations, such as corporate racketeers and crime syndicates, which pose a threat to the order and safety of civil society.
- [10]Based on the understanding that coping with environmental issues is a common challenge to the human race, we will spontaneously and actively work on environmental protection by making efficient use of natural resources and energy.
- [11]Whether in or outside of Japan, we will manage our business in a manner that will contribute to the development of the local community not only by complying with local laws and codes of conduct but also by respecting local culture and custom.
- [12]As a good corporate citizen, we will actively work on activities that contribute to the community.
3 Behavior of senior management
- [13]Our top management shall take the lead by setting a good example in realizing the spirit of this Charter and shall ensure that this Charter is known to all persons concerned.
The top management shall also monitor opinions in and outside the company, shall develop effective internal systems, and shall ensure compliance with corporate ethics. - [14]In the event of a violation of the spirit of this Charter, the top management shall be responsible for solving the problem and shall strive to determine the cause and prevent the same problem from recurring.
- [15]In the event of a violation of the spirit of this Charter, the top management shall disclose relevant information and provide an explanation to the community in a prompt, appropriate manner.
Compliance Committee and Compliance Office
To ensure thorough compliance and ethics, in June 2002, we established the “Hisamitsu Corporate Charter,” which defines our basic stance as a company, and the “Compliance Program” as a code of conduct to be observed. To promote the initiative, the Compliance Committee and the Compliance Office as the secretariat were established, chaired by Director in charge of compliance. The “Compliance Program” clearly states that the Company shall comply with laws and ordinances, act with high ethical standards, and prohibit any and all improper and corrupt acts such as bribery, illegal payoff, and conflicts of interest. To practice compliance, the “Hisamitsu Corporate Charter” and “Compliance Program” are distributed as a handbook to all officers and employees and are read at each workplace, and education and training for all managers is conducted on an annual basis. In addition, the Internal Audit Office inspects the practice of compliance from an objective standpoint.
Business Operations with Transparency
In line with the tenor of the JPMA Code of Practice established by the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) in 2013, we have formulated the Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Code of Practice (Hisamitsu Code) in order not only to ensure legal compliance but also to maintain even higher ethical standards in all our conduct. Applying not only to our promotional activities, but also to Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical’s interactions with researchers, medical workers, medical institutions, patient organizations, wholesalers, etc., this set of self-regulations requires us to secure high ethical standards and transparency in our corporate activities. In addition, we also have our own Rx Drug Promotion Code to be observed when promoting Rx drugs.We ensure that all our officers and employees abide by the code to carry out promotional efforts appropriately. The Hisamitsu Code is applicable even to operations that we perform outside Japan. At the same time, when operating in a foreign country, we comply not only with the code but also with that country’s related laws and regulations. In addition, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical is committed to high ethical standards and transparency in its relationships with medical institutions and patient groups. To extensively publicize that our operations contribute to developing life science based on high ethical standards, we have established the Guiding Principle for Transparency of Relationships between Corporate Activities and Medical Institutions, etc. and the Guiding Principle for Transparency of Relationships between Corporate Activities and Patient Organizations in line with the guidelines set by the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association. Information on any funding that Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical provides and other topics is annually released through the website of Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical.
Whistle-Blowing System and Whistleblower Protection
Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical has established the “Hisamitsu Hotline” in the Compliance Office as a contact point for whistle-blowing, which ensures confidentiality and anonymity, and accepts information (including consultation, suggestions, and questions) regarding acts that are or may be in violation of laws and ordinances and corporate ethics. Information reported is strictly investigated and handled accordingly. Whistleblowers are protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act.
Regulations on Prevention of Bribery and Corruption
Sound corporate activities based on corporate ethics, including the prevention of bribery and corruption, are the foundation for the realization of Corporate Philosophy of Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical. For the purpose of strengthening our commitment to the prevention of bribery and corruption, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical has established provisions for the prevention of bribery and corrupt acts in our Compliance Program. We believe that these efforts cannot be completed by our Company Group alone but require the cooperation of all partners involved in our Group business.
Cross-shareholdings Policy
The manufacturing of drugs requires a long period of time from research and development to sales, and we consider it essential to have long-term partners who understand our business in order to utilize our management resources and meet the needs of our customers beyond the pharmaceutical business. Our basic policy is to hold shares in companies that will enhance our corporate value.
