Political Engagement & Lobbying
Pharmaceutical companies are a critical part of the US health care system and it is essential that we participate, actively and responsibly, in the political process to help ensure sound public policy on health care issues.
The success of these efforts depends to a great extent on our involvement at the national, state, and local level. Together, we can build a stronger health care system in which more people are diagnosed and treated, fewer people are hospitalized, and medicines are properly seen as an investment, not a cost.
Learn more about each of our efforts below.
AstraZeneca Political Action Committee (AZPAC)
AstraZeneca's Political Action Committee (PAC) provides eligible U.S. employees an opportunity to support federal and state candidates who share the company's perspective on the public policies that impact our business and the patients we serve.
AZPAC is funded solely by voluntary employee contributions from eligible employees. AZPAC's Board of Directors, comprised of representatives from different units of AstraZeneca, provides oversight to AZPAC's communications, contributions and membership programs. The AZPAC Board determines which candidates will receive support, without regard to party affiliation. AZPAC’s candidate giving criteria includes: the candidate's understanding and support of issues important to AstraZeneca/Alexion and the biopharmaceutical industry, the candidate's membership on key committees that consider legislation vital to our business, the location of AstraZeneca/Alexion employees and/or facilities in the candidate’s state or district, the candidate’s leadership position or potential for leadership, and alignment with AstraZeneca/Alexion’s corporate values.
AZPAC is registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) (www.fec.gov) as Zeneca Inc. PAC and complies with all regulatory requirements, including stringent reporting and record keeping and strict contribution limits. AZPAC also provides required reports to the appropriate state agencies.
Corporate Political Contributions
Through corporate political contributions, where permissible, AstraZeneca and Alexion support select state and local candidate campaigns/committees and national political groups. AstraZeneca and Alexion support policies that advance science, protect innovation and ensure patients have access to the medicines and treatments they need.
Federal & State Lobbying
As a leader in the healthcare industry, AstraZeneca is committed to sharing its knowledge and experience with government officials and policy makers as they address healthcare-related issues that impact patients and caregivers.
AstraZeneca complies with all federal and state laws and regulations governing lobbying activities, interaction with government officials and reporting requirements.
AstraZeneca registers in-house lobbyists and reports federal lobbying activities to the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate on a regular basis. These quarterly reports are available below and include:
- Internal lobbying expenditures
- External consultant expenditures
- Any portion of AstraZeneca’s trade associations dues used for lobbying purposes
- Relevant federal issues lobbied per quarter
Questions?
Please contact our Head of Government Partnerships and Political Programs, Francesca Plendl, at (Francesca.Plendl@astrazeneca.com) or (azpac@astrazeneca.com) for assistance.