Australian pharmaceutical industry representative group launches report on future of workplace inclusion

13 October 2022: Today, Medicines Australia Special Interest Group, Pharma Australia Inclusion Group (PAIG), launched their latest White Paper, The Future of Workplace Inclusion.

In collaboration with PAIG’s 25 pharmaceutical company member organisations, the White Paper was developed through a consultative process including one-on-one discussions with leaders, an anonymous virtual focus group with members’ employees and desktop review of a selection of primary and secondary research from within and outside of the pharmaceutical industry.

This consultative process resulted in the identification of five key themes for recommendations that encompass the future of workplace inclusion:

1. Connecting purpose to practice
2. Amplifying the impact of inclusive leadership
3. Attracting, developing, and retaining diverse capabilities
4. Applying an intersectional lens to segmented efforts
5. Embracing new ways of working.

This report calls for the pharmaceutical industry to be courageous and challenge the status quo, said PAIG co-chair, Fiona Sheppard, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead, ANZ, Johnson & Johnson.

“We must be at the cutting edge of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the benefit of the Australian innovative medicines industry. It shows how together we can build a robust, modern, and attractive industry in which everyone can thrive”, said Fiona.

The White Paper also highlights the impact COVID-19 has had, resulting in a rapid growth in the digital economy which has fundamentally changed the workplace, commented PAIG co-chair, Lee Davelaar, Senior Manager, Policy and Public Affairs, Pfizer Australia.

“We now have greater flexibility and trust to perform our work where and when we can. For organisations and individuals this has presented new opportunities, but also challenges that this White Paper and the next iteration of the PAIG program will explore”, said Lee.

“PAIG will examine how we evolve company’s diversity and inclusion offering to ensure it is integrated with this digital evolution of the workplace, looking beyond our industry to understand best diversity, equity and inclusion practices and, where applicable, embrace or adapt these practices for the benefit of our sector.”

Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said this report delivers recommendations that can not only benefit individual companies but can embed principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the ecosystems in which we operate.

“On behalf of Medicines Australia and PAIG’s member organisations, we are proud to launch The Future of Workplace Inclusion. What makes the medicines industry a great place to work is that we embrace learning and new thinking. We are not afraid to make courageous decisions and we are committed to continuously improving,” said Elizabeth.

An event to mark the launch of the White Paper was held in Sydney today, attended by diversity and inclusion leaders from across the pharmaceutical industry. The event showcased the White Paper’s collaborative development process and the impact its recommendations will have on the future of workplace inclusivity in the Australian medicines industry.

-ENDS-

About PAIG

The Pharma Australia Inclusion Group (PAIG) is a special interest group of Medicines Australia. It was established in 2017 to build a more inclusive industry where all people are equally valued, rewarded and thrive. Originally named PAGE (Pharma Australia Gender Equity), the group evolved in 2020 to reflect a broader focus on diversity and inclusion. Inclusion is the foundation of equity and impacts all aspects of an organisation. Inclusive workplaces are key to strengthening talent attraction and retention and creating conditions that bring out the best in all people. PAIG is committed to establishing the pharmaceutical industry as a known leader in inclusion.

PAIG member organisations (listed in alphabetical order)

• AbbVie
• Amgen
• Astellas
• AstraZeneca
• Bayer
• BeiGene
• Biogen
• BMS
• Boehringer Ingelheim
• Eli Lilly Australia
• Gilead
• GSK
• Healthcare Logistics/EBOS
• Ipsen
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies)
• Merck
• MSD
• Novo Nordisk
• Organon
• Pfizer
• Roche
• Sanofi
• Takeda
• UCB
• Vifor