Consultants Call for End to Teva Pharmaceuticals’ Medicines Amid Gaza Crisis

More than 50 consultants from Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) have urged the State to cease the procurement of medications produced by Teva Pharmaceuticals, an Israeli multinational, where viable alternatives are available. This call comes in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has been described by several international bodies, including the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, as meeting the legal definition of genocide.

In a letter addressed to Lucy Nugent, the chief executive of CHI, and Jennifer Carroll-MacNeill, the Minister for Health, the 57 paediatric consultants expressed their concerns regarding the ethical implications of continuing to use Teva’s products. They highlighted the need for CHI to take immediate action to discontinue the use of pharmaceuticals manufactured by Teva, suggesting that alternatives should be sought where possible.

Teva Pharmaceuticals is one of the largest producers of generic and specialist medications globally and has a significant presence in Ireland, supplying a substantial portion of generic medicines to the Health Service Executive (HSE). The company is known for producing products like Sudocrem.

The consultants’ letter states, “Teva, as Israel’s largest pharmaceutical company, operates under the jurisdiction of and contributes to the economy of a state currently under investigation for genocide.” They argue that the taxes paid by Teva directly support the Israeli government’s military and diplomatic actions, which they claim are contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In their appeal, the consultants emphasized their commitment to ethical principles, stating that the continued purchase of Teva’s medicines undermines CHI’s stated values. They do not advocate for any measures that would compromise clinical care but are calling for a shift to “therapeutically equivalent alternatives” from Teva where available.

Thomas Donnelly, clinical specialty lead for general orthopaedics and trauma at CHI, conveyed the gravity of the situation, saying, “As consultants, we have a duty of care to all patients, and we see a direct contradiction between these very public values and the procurement of medications from Teva.” He further stated that Teva is “helping fund a genocide in which children have been shot, shelled, and now starved.”

In response, Teva Pharmaceuticals reiterated its commitment to ethical practices and the importance of maintaining a reliable supply of medicines for patients. A spokesperson for Teva stated, “Any boycott on Teva may impose a risk on the health and wellbeing of those patients, the healthcare systems we serve, our global workforce, and their families.” The spokesperson also noted that Teva’s operations contributed approximately $226 million to the Irish economy last year and that its portfolio of generic medicines has helped the Irish health system save more than €1.5 billion over the past decade.

The letter from the consultants has prompted a review by CHI, with Nugent acknowledging receipt of the correspondence on Friday afternoon. The Department of Health clarified that it does not participate in the procurement of medicines, leaving decisions regarding sourcing to health service providers.

As discussions continue, the implications of the consultants’ request may extend beyond the immediate healthcare landscape, intersecting with broader ethical considerations regarding the role of multinational companies in conflict zones.