UK pharmacists are boycotting Israel-based generics manufacturer Teva over the conflict in Gaza.

Contractors taking part in the boycott told C+D they were no longer accepting products from Teva - which has a presence in around 60 countries - in the hope it will encourage the Israeli government to reconsider its treatment of the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip.

Teva, which has its headquarters in Israel, told C+D that its local and global operations were continuing uninterrupted.

A press release for the Boycott Teva campaign, which was launched on July 18, said the boycott was set up in response to Teva's tax contributions to the Israeli government. The boycott was not "politically or religiously motivated" and had been launched after "lengthy deliberations and consultations" about the potential impact on patients and the sector.

Sayeed Mansoor, a pharmacy chain operations manager who set up the Boycott Teva Facebook group, said around 200 pharmacists had been in contact over the past two weeks to say they were joining the boycott.

Mr Mansoor told C+D he was optimistic the campaign would be successful.

"Boycotts and sanctions were very effective at getting the apartheid government in South Africa to change its stance. We're hoping to replicate the same effect," said Mr Mansoor, who buys generic and branded drugs for an undisclosed pharmacy chain.

Murtaza Master, owner of the Masters group of pharmacies in the West Midlands, told C+D he had written to his suppliers to request his six pharmacies were no longer supplied with Teva products. Mr Master's letter said the chain would "endeavour to phase [out] Teva purchases over the next 12 months".

Nadim Tahir, manager of online pharmacy iPharm UK, told C+D that he had first heard about the campaign via social media.

"It's not about religion, it's about humanity," said Mr Tahir. "We're not ordering anything from Teva [and] we're talking to patients and explaining why this boycott is taking place."

Amir Riaz, owner of online pharmacy i-dispense, said the cost of boycotting Teva was "marginal". "I had a meeting with the partners and we concluded that it wouldn't harm the business or patients - that's when we decided to avoid Teva," Mr Riaz told C+D.

Asad Khan, manager of Elaj pharmacy in Leeds, told C+D that his boycott had been prompted by requests from patients for an alternative to Teva's generics.

"After what has been taking place in the Middle East, people are more aware about where their brands are coming from. I think pharmacists are taking it upon themselves," Mr Khan said.

Shaheed Fazal, director of the Dispharma pharmacy chain in the West Midlands, said the boycott was an "ethical stand" that he hoped would bring about a "sustainable solution to the conflict".

The Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which began on July 8, had left "hundreds dead and thousands injured", the United Nations said on Tuesday (July 29).

Latest news

• Former Lloyds manager struck off for thefts worth more than £400,000

• GPhC urges new graduates to take part in second survey

• Rowlands boss goes undercover for Channel 4


	Would you be prepared to boycott Teva over its links to Israel?

We want to hear your views, but please express them in the spirit of a constructive, professional debate. For more information about what this means, please click here to see our community principles and information

Teva links to Israel prompt boycott by UK contractors

Latest from News

More from Business