The journey to systematize sustainability-oriented management began in 2016, with identification of the topics considered most relevant to the company and its stakeholders (Materiality Matrix) and which should therefore continue to be prioritized in the business’ conduction. The first stage of this process included the analysis of internal documents and sectoral studies and benchmark with other companies in the pharmaceutical industry. An initial list was elaborated with 25 topics, which guided a broad consultation with Aché stakeholders, consisting of online research, engagement panel and interviews with external experts and six company executives.

Employees, consumers, physicians and other healthcare professionals, customers (points of sale and institutional channel), suppliers, distributors and representatives of the public sector were consulted. To shed light on the amplitude of the process, we gathered the perception of 2,380 employees and 3,254 consumers and physicians.

The ten topics defined as priority, which make up the so-called Materiality Matrix, were subjected to the final validation of the leadership, which, due to its relevance in the regulatory and market areas, included the topic of serialization to the list.

Launched in 2017, Aché Cultural hot site shares with the society information about cultural, social, educational and sporting projects supported by Aché. Valor para Todos [Value for all] blog brings information about our activities that generate and share value with the society. 

Access at: www.achecultural.com.br e www.ache.com.br/blog-valor-para-todos/

In August 2017, Anvisa announced the name of Aché and four other pharmaceutical companies to be part of the pilot phase for implementation of the National Drug Control System (SNMC), which, based on serialization and traceability, intends to reduce the sale of stolen or counterfeit products in Brazil and increase guarantee of the origin of products to consumers.

The experimental stage will include, among other actions, the inclusion of information on the packaging of the participating products and transmission of data to the system to be structured by the regulatory agency.

Aché’s chosen medicine was Tandrilax, which has been in the Brazilian market since 1980.

By participating in the pilot program, we will gain experience and knowledge to complete the serialization of our production lines.

Aché is committed to continuous evolution of the legislations that regulates the Brazilian pharmaceutical market and, as a result, strengthen processes as well as the quality and safety of the Company and other players’ portfolio. Our goal is to contribute to the country’s regulations being increasingly aligned with the guidelines of international bodies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which will also positively impact our internationalization strategy.

We maintain permanent contact with the Ministry of Health and Anvisa, at federal level, and with the state and municipal Health Surveillances. The interactions are conducted by our Regulatory Affairs team or by representatives of the professional associations that we are part of. Currently, we maintain participation in associations of the pharmaceutical sector: [GRI 102-13]