By Evan Holley
The dual health and economic crisis resulting from COVID-19 has brought into sharp focus the importance of ethical
business conduct. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the medical device and biopharmaceutical sectors have been
significantly impacted, during a time when they are being called upon for major action. To support these enterprises and
stakeholders in the wider health system, the Business Ethics for APEC SMEs Initiative will launch this week with a bold,
new vision for the next five years. Vision 2025 serves as a roadmap for the region’s health-related sectors to uphold
integrity by leveraging best practices, partnering with governments to encourage ethical business conduct, and engaging
in multi-stakeholder collaboration. All of these actions are essential for COVID-19 recovery.
First, achieving Vision 2025 begins by fully leveraging established best practices as recognized by APEC Ministers. As
APEC Executive Director, Dr Rebecca Sta Maria, stated in her recent article, addressing concerns arising from the pandemic comes down to adhering to established guidance. The APEC Kuala Lumpur Principles and the APEC Mexico City Principles address fundamental ethical pillars such as upholding integrity, independence, appropriateness, transparency and
advancement—all of which are important to reinforce ways to build back better post-COVID-19.The author, Mr Evan Holley, is Chair of the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group. Issued by: The APEC Small
and Medium Enterprises Working Group
Second, APEC governments serve a critical role in elevating integrity. While it is necessary for governments to ensure
consistent enforcement—actions taken against those violating laws designed to prevent unethical conduct—governments
should take proactive steps to encourage ethical business conduct and prevent corruption from the outset. Such actions
by government are particularly important for supporting SMEs. The APEC SME Working Group is proud of our collaboration
with the APEC Anti-Corruption and Transparency Working Group (ACTWG), where we have worked together to launch a Resource Guide focused on Government Strategies to Encourage Ethical Business Conduct, which features examples of strategies that governments are already taking around the world to encourage ethical
business conduct. For example, New Zealand Health Partnerships—a subsidiary owned and operated by twenty district health
boards—requires all suppliers of clinical products to either be a member of the Medical Technology Association of New
Zealand, which has an obligatory code of ethical practice, or to adhere to the code without membership.
Third, we cannot reinforce business ethics and integrity without multi-stakeholder collaboration. The best example of
this work has been achieved through the establishment of consensus frameworks agreements for ethical collaboration in
nine APEC economies. In Australia, we are privileged to have formed the Australian Ethical Health Alliance (AEHA), enjoying support and engagement with nearly every health system stakeholder in Australia—bringing more than seventy
partners to the same table to promote shared ethical principles. Now is the time for all APEC economies to pursue
implementation of multi-stakeholder ethical collaborations, such as consensus frameworks, as platforms to support SMEs
and to foster improved health outcomes, patient trust, and innovation.
The SMEWG is committed to working with all 21 APEC member economies to support small business development and
cross-border trade as we confront the COVID-19 pandemic. The Business Ethics for APEC SMEs Initiative is hosting its
first virtual Forum beginning 13 October 2020, which will convene hundreds of stakeholders for the launch of Vision 2025
and for important discussions about strengthening business integrity amidst COVID-19. We invite you to register and learn more as we blaze a new path for the initiative and beyond.
Evan Holley is the Chair of the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group.