All our research is conducted in accordance with all relevant local, national and international legislation, regulations and guidelines, as required by our Code of Conduct. 

In addition, our commitment to delivering the highest standards is broadened and strengthened by the guiding principles outlined in our Bioethics Policy.  Where appropriate, these high-level principles are supported by detailed standards that are communicated to employees in the relevant areas to ensure we continue to live up to our commitment.

Our Science Policy and Practice Council, a cross-functional group of senior R&D leaders, chaired by the Executive Director of Development and the Executive Vice President of Discovery, provides leadership and direction on science policy matters to ensure that we continue to have clear accountabilities throughout the organisation.

The Board’s Science Committee, comprising three of our Non-Executive Directors, the Executive Director of Development and the Executive Vice-President of Discovery, provides assurance to the AstraZeneca Board regarding the quality and integrity of our science-based research and development activities. As needed, this Committee also reviews, together with other external experts, important bioethics issues faced by the Company, and to agree appropriate policies on behalf of the Board.

Our commitment to high ethical standards applies not only to our internal research and development. We aim to ensure that in our external partnerships, we work with organisations whose standards are consistent with our own.

The content of this page was externally assured by Bureau Veritas, February 2008