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Operate ethically and responsibly
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At Lilly, we strive to earn and maintain the trust of people we serve by acting ethically and responsibly in all that we do every day.
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We set high standards for our products, operations and performance, and we show caring and respect for those touched by our work.
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Since our founding nearly 150 years ago, we have approached our company’s business with a deep sense of responsibility to all our stakeholders. Our actions, now as then, are grounded in our company’s core values of integrity, excellence and respect for people.
Throughout our history, we have consistently embraced principles of good corporate governance, which we’ve implemented through our strong, independent and diverse board of directors.
Throughout our history, we have consistently embraced principles of good corporate governance, which we’ve implemented through our strong, independent and diverse board of directors.
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Today more than ever, it’s vitally important that we demonstrate accountability and trustworthiness so we can continue to earn the confidence of patients, healthcare providers and other customers, as well as society as a whole.
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As part of our commitment to operating ethically and responsibly, we have developed and continue to refine and improve our ethics and compliance program. The program is designed to promote ethical conduct and instill a culture of integrity. It includes dedicated teams supporting the business areas, global anti-corruption, written standards, education and training initiatives, and communications. It also includes auditing, monitoring and response to potential violations.
We require our employees to complete annual training in ethical business practices and have systems in place designed to help employees comply with compliance requirements and detect violations of laws, regulations and company policies. Everywhere we operate around the world, we commit to upholding our high standards for our products, our ethical conduct and our performance.
Our global ethics and compliance program supports this commitment and is designed to meet all external requirements including codes issued by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industry Associations.
A summary of the fundamental elements of our ethics and compliance program is listed here, with additional details in our most recent Sustainability report.
We require our employees to complete annual training in ethical business practices and have systems in place designed to help employees comply with compliance requirements and detect violations of laws, regulations and company policies. Everywhere we operate around the world, we commit to upholding our high standards for our products, our ethical conduct and our performance.
Our global ethics and compliance program supports this commitment and is designed to meet all external requirements including codes issued by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industry Associations.
A summary of the fundamental elements of our ethics and compliance program is listed here, with additional details in our most recent Sustainability report.
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Oversight
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The board of directors, together with its committees, oversees the processes by which the company conducts its business to ensure the company operates in a manner that complies with laws and regulations and reflects our high standards of integrity.
The ethics and compliance committee of the board meets throughout the year, including private sessions to discuss compliance with the company’s chief ethics and compliance officer, the general auditor, and the senior vice president, global quality. The chief ethics and compliance officer also provides biannual updates to the joint audit and ethics and compliance committees. On an annual basis, the full board of directors reviews the company's overall state of compliance.
In addition to board oversight, the compliance and enterprise risk management committee, comprised of the executive committee and certain risk function leaders, provides supervision and accountability over the ethics and compliance program.
The chief ethics and compliance officer is responsible for developing, operating and monitoring the ethics and compliance program and manages a diverse organization that works across the business in all geographies in which the company conducts business.
The ethics and compliance committee of the board meets throughout the year, including private sessions to discuss compliance with the company’s chief ethics and compliance officer, the general auditor, and the senior vice president, global quality. The chief ethics and compliance officer also provides biannual updates to the joint audit and ethics and compliance committees. On an annual basis, the full board of directors reviews the company's overall state of compliance.
In addition to board oversight, the compliance and enterprise risk management committee, comprised of the executive committee and certain risk function leaders, provides supervision and accountability over the ethics and compliance program.
The chief ethics and compliance officer is responsible for developing, operating and monitoring the ethics and compliance program and manages a diverse organization that works across the business in all geographies in which the company conducts business.
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Written standards
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Our code of business conduct reflects principles that are consistent with our company values of integrity, excellence, and respect for people. The Red Book is the company’s code of business conduct and sets the expectation for the behavior that we demonstrate every day and provides the ethical framework of our business.
All Lilly employees are expected to read, certify and comply with this code of business conduct and the related policies, procedures and/or guidelines that are applicable to them.
In moments of uncertainty, our people are encouraged to seek help from, or report violations to, company resources including a supervisor, subject-matter expert, Human Resources, Ethics and Compliance, or Lilly Legal, without fear of retaliation. The Lilly Ethics and Compliance Hotline is available 24 hours a day to employees and the public globally, subject to local law (see Communications section below for more information).
All Lilly employees are expected to read, certify and comply with this code of business conduct and the related policies, procedures and/or guidelines that are applicable to them.
In moments of uncertainty, our people are encouraged to seek help from, or report violations to, company resources including a supervisor, subject-matter expert, Human Resources, Ethics and Compliance, or Lilly Legal, without fear of retaliation. The Lilly Ethics and Compliance Hotline is available 24 hours a day to employees and the public globally, subject to local law (see Communications section below for more information).
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Education and training
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We require ongoing training and education of all employees on The Red Book, associated policies and procedures, and applicable legal requirements for specific roles. Employees in some functions and key risk areas may receive additional targeted training and education.
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Communication
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We believe in open and honest communication at every level of our company. All employees are expected to speak up and report concerns, and leaders are responsible for fostering an environment where doing so is welcomed. Employees can report concerns to their manager, Human Resources, Ethics & Compliance, or Legal. Speak Up at Lilly is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -- to both employees and the public worldwide, where local laws allow -- offering online reporting, country-specific phone numbers, and translation services. Reports may be submitted anonymously where local law permits.
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Auditing and monitoring
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On an ongoing basis, we assess, evaluate, monitor and audit compliance with our ethics and compliance program, and associated policies and procedures. We report findings to top leaders, local management and corporate governance committees.
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Response to potential violations
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We investigate all good faith reports of potential violations using a process consistent with the latest enforcement and regulatory requirements. If a violation has occurred, we determine appropriate disciplinary consequences by evaluating each case individually. We also conduct root cause analyses and review our procedures, processes and business practices to establish whether enhancements should be made to prevent future violations of our compliance standards.
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Additional information
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Anti-corruption
Our risk-based anti-corruption compliance program is implemented in all geographies in which we operate and includes partnership with the business to assess the appropriateness of interactions with third parties, with a goal of preventing corrupt business practices.
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Privacy
Our privacy program is designed to protect and respect the personal information of people who interact with our company, products, mobile applications, and digital services and websites. See our Privacy Statement.
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Bioethics
Our bioethics program is designed to protect the rights and well-being of patients and clinical trial participants, as well as the integrity of the science behind our products.
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Additional resources
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Annual Spending Limit 2025
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View the 2025 Annual Spending Limit PDF
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Declaration of Compliance 2025
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View 2025 Declaration of Compliance PDF
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Ethical conduct for financial management
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View our Sustainability Report
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