Otsuka: Seeking The Ideal Formulation Of Ethics & Compliance
“We are innovators,” says Kabir Nath, president and CEO of Otsuka North America Pharmaceutical Business, a part of the global Otsuka Pharmaceutical group. “Each and every one of our people plays an important role in providing products that prescribers and patients depend on for improved health and well-being,” he says. “It is vital that we exhibit the highest standards both of ethics and compliance throughout the enterprise.” Making that happen at the company is everyone’s business, but today efforts are led by Jennifer McGee, chief compliance officer. “Any effective compliance program must prevent, detect and deter misconduct,” says McGee. But compliance-focused checks and balances must in turn be supported by an unwaveringly ethical culture—with a healthy dose of innovation. To that end, McGee works to promote the company’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, policies and procedures, training, and even its supplier-focused ethics and compliance programs, by engaging and inspiring staff in new ways. According to McGee, Otsuka took a big stride by evolving its training approach. Previously, the organization’s ethics training included a two-hour digital course that staff completed every year. “Honestly, it was brutal,” she says. Now Otsuka uses monthly campaigns focused on specific issues, delivering three- to five-minute training videos with supplemental materials where needed, as a less overwhelming and more compelling and customized alternative. According to McGee, this shift to shorter, more frequent training “doses” is proving more effective in reinforcing ethical values. Though proud of their company’s compliance-minded culture and controls, both Nath and McGee believe there’s always room for improvement—and they’ll embrace the next creative ideas. “I know we have a good solid foundation,” says Nath. “But we have to recognize there’s always something new just over the horizon.”