Our engagement with the U.S. Federal and State governments
AbbVie’s public policy engagement is guided by the following principles:
- AbbVie is committed to transparency and is guided by our Code of Business Conduct in all public policy engagement.
- AbbVie pursues activities that shape policies to benefit patients, with a focus on improving patient access to new medical advances.
- AbbVie federal and state government affairs representatives participate in annual ethics and legal training on political engagement.
Furthermore, AbbVie does not;
- provide political contributions in anticipation of, in recognition of, or in return for an official act;
- seek or receive direct or indirect reimbursements for personal political contributions or expenses;
- pressure or coerce fellow employees to make personal political contributions; or,
- reward employees or make employment decisions based in whole or in part on that employee’s personal political contributions.
Our Federal Government Affairs office in Washington, D.C. is responsible for advocacy activities with the U.S. Congress and the federal government. Advocacy at the U.S. state level is managed by our State Government Affairs function. AbbVie also hires outside firms that can provide expertise on our key policy issues. AbbVie does not currently make direct expenditures for U.S. federal and state grassroots lobbying communications to the general public. Additionally, AbbVie does not currently contribute funds intended for use in elections to 501(c)(4) organizations but, should such a contribution be made in the future, it would be listed with AbbVie’s other corporate political contributions.
The AbbVie Board of Directors’ public policy committee exercises oversight of AbbVie’s political expenditures and lobbying activities, as specifically enumerated in the committee’s charter, and which are further governed by the Committee’s approved policy on political contributions. The public policy committee and AbbVie’s senior management review these activities and expenditures on a regular basis. In the United States, in compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act, AbbVie will file a quarterly report that includes: (i) total federal lobbying expenditures, (ii) the name of the specific piece of legislation or subject that was the topic of communication, (iii) disclosure of AbbVie individuals who lobbied on behalf of AbbVie, and (iv) identification of the legislative body or executive branch that was contacted. This report incorporates expenses associated with lobbying the federal government, including our Federal Government Affairs office and the portion of trade association dues associated with federal lobbying. Our latest federal lobbying disclosure filings can be found on the U.S. Senate Office of Public Records website and the U.S. House of Representatives Office of the Clerk website. We file similar publicly-available lobbying reports with states, as required by law, available here.
AbbVie advocates on a range of issues in the United States, including:
- Advancing patient access to drug therapy as prescribed by their clinician
- Reducing patient out of pocket costs
- Strong intellectual property protections
- Rewarding innovation
The Vice President, Government Affairs, exercises oversight of all external vendors that lobby on AbbVie’s behalf. The Vice President, Government Affairs also updates the Public Policy Committee of the AbbVie Board of Directors periodically regarding AbbVie’s lobbying priorities.
Internationally, the AbbVie Government Affairs team supports our regional leaders to contribute to the policy debate.