Public Policy
Our Approach to Public Policy
Our public policy advocacy reflects our commitment to improving the lives of patients, enhancing public health and advancing medical innovation. We do this by advocating for, among other things, patient access to, and awareness of, all medications approved by the FDA for alcohol dependence, opioid dependence, schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, and treatment system reforms that foster patient-centered care—care customized by the physician and patient to the clinical needs of the patient, regardless of the treatment setting in which the patient is seen.
At both the federal and state levels, Alkermes team members actively participate in public policy discussions with governments, trade associations, patient groups and other organizations to share our perspective and experience as a biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing therapies for patients with unmet medical needs.
Our public policy engagement is guided by our commitment to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and support of policies that benefit patients who may use our products, including ensuring and improving access to medicines and fostering innovation in health care.
For both our federal and state engagement efforts, our public policy priorities and positions are determined in consultation with our management team, and our Board of Directors is provided an update annually of, and an opportunity to comment on, our advocacy priorities and efforts. We also hire outside firms that can provide expertise on our key policy issues.
Political Contributions
Alkermes has established the Alkermes, Inc. Political Action Committee (PAC) and the Alkermes, Inc. Political Action Committee Massachusetts, funded solely through eligible U.S. employee and director contributions. The Alkermes PACs offer employees and directors a means to voluntarily support legislative efforts that support our mission of serving patients. We also make corporate political contributions in certain states where such contributions are permitted under state law.
Transparency
Alkermes PAC contributions are reported to the Federal Election Commission and to state election commissions as required by law. In addition, to ensure transparency, information about all Alkermes political contributions in the U.S. are shared in a biannual report, categorized by state, recipient, party affiliation, office sought (where applicable), the source of the contribution and the amounts contributed.
Trade Associations
We are a member of trade associations that represent the biopharmaceutical sector and that focus on policy issues related to health and other topics which impact patients, physicians and our company. These organizations serve a variety of purposes such as speaking with a uniform voice with policymakers on public policy issues or collaborating on education and advocacy activities. While we may not always align with or support every public position taken by a given association or its other members, representatives of our company serve on various boards and committees within such organizations to share our perspective on the issues and to advocate on our behalf for policies that advance patient access and innovation in health care.
Below is a list of trade organizations to which we paid dues of $50,000 or more during the last fiscal year:
- Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
- Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
Lobbying Disclosure (U.S.)
In compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act, we file a quarterly report of all expenses associated with lobbying the U.S. federal government that includes:
- Total federal lobbying expenditures
- The name of the specific piece of legislation or subject that was the topic of the lobbying communication
- Disclosure of the names of our employees who lobbied on our behalf
- Identification of the legislative body or executive branch that was contacted.
Alkermes also includes an allocated share of the salaries and expenses of those Alkermes employees involved in lobbying the federal government, external lobbyists employed by Alkermes and the portion of our trade association dues that are associated with federal lobbying. These reports can be found on the U.S. Senate Office of Public Records website or the U.S. House of Representatives Office of the Clerk website.