STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Pfizer and GSK DEI changes, pharma navigating tariffs, and more
Pfizer made changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion webpage, as companies across industries reposition their policies and messaging
And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is, once again, rather modest. We plan to catch up on our reading list, promenade with the official mascots, hang with Mrs. Pharmalot and, of course, hold another listening party, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? Spring is on the horizon, so perhaps this is a good time to purchase clothes for warmer weather before prices rise. You could also plan a needed getaway or perhaps take in a moving picture show. Of course, this may also be an opportunity to check in on someone special. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon. …
Pfizer made significant changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion webpage, as companies across different industries seek to reposition their policies and messaging amid President Trump’s dismantling of DEI initiatives, STAT reports. The company now emphasizes merit throughout its page. Pfizer has changed the title from “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” to “Merit-Based Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” and added a sentence to its introductory paragraph: “Our culture of diversity, equity and inclusion is based on merit — one where hard work, talent, and contributions drive success, and barriers to opportunity are removed.” Meanwhile, the company has deleted and replaced other language on the page. It removed a section that linked to and described a racial equity assessment that the company commissioned a third party to conduct in 2023.
And GSK will no longer set diversity targets, Reuters notes. In its annual report published on Thursday, GSK said it had largely met previous targets on increasing diversity in ethnicity and gender in leadership and remained committed to operating as a responsible business with an inclusive culture, but that it would make changes “including no longer setting aspirational targets for our leadership and supplier (programs). We have paused, and in some cases, stopped certain initiatives to ensure we remain compliant with the law in the countries in which we operate, including the United States.”
