Why Big Pharma Must Cure Its Bad Rap

Forbs | Arlene Weintraub

The 2015 Harris corporate reputation poll is out and the news for Big Pharma isn’t good, to say the least.  In the poll—which measures the “reputation quotient” of the most visible American companies among the general public—Big Pharma ranked ninth out of 14 industries and was right in line with insurance companies and airlines when it comes to respect, or lack thereof. Ouch.

It may seem surprising that the public has no more love for the manufacturers of important and sometimes life-saving therapies than it does for the companies that routinely leave passengers stranded for hours at the airport. But Big Pharma’s bad rap makes more sense when you consider that Harris’s reputation quotient incorporates 20 attributes that corporations must master, including trust, economic value, and community responsibility.

Actavis Announces Intention to Adopt "Allergan" Corporate Name

Actavis plc announced that it will adopt a new corporate name – Allergan – following the anticipated successful completion of the acquisition of Allergan, Inc. The Company said that it intends to use the Allergan name as its corporate name and for its global branded pharmaceutical portfolio, and will retain the Actavis name for select geographic regions and product portfolios. The change in corporate name would be subject to approval by Actavis' shareholders at its Annual General Meeting later this year.

"The pending combination of Actavis and Allergan will create a dynamic new breed of company – a leader in Growth Pharma. By adopting the Allergan name for the corporation we will ensure that our corporate identity reflects the dramatic evolution of our company within the pharmaceutical industry," said Brent Saunders, CEO and President of Actavis. "For more than 65 years, the Allergan name has represented innovation in branded pharmaceuticals, a commitment to bringing the best medicine to life and a strong partnership with physicians. The Actavis name has represented our global commitment to leadership in generic, branded generic and OTC pharmaceuticals and to increased access to more affordable prescription medicine for consumers around the world. Together, our combined company will be equally focused on developing new medicines that meet unmet medical needs in critical therapeutic categories, as well as increasing global access to high quality, affordable medicines.