A group of 65 investors with over USD 3.5trn in assets under management, including many European pension funds, have called on pharmaceutical companies to ensure equitable access to vaccines globally.

The letter, organised by Achmea, stated: “As investors, we recognise and attach considerable importance to the need for an effective, fair and equitable global response to Covid-19.” It warned that a large part of the world’s population still does not have sufficient and equitable access to vaccines.

“There is concern that this scenario might repeat itself once more treatments become available. A pandemic which remains out of control in many parts of the world is and should be at the top of our agenda as global investors, and also for governments and the companies in which we invest.”

The group includes several European pension funds but a significant number are Dutch funds. These include PMA, PGGM, PME Pensioenfonds, Pensioenfonds Achmea, Pensioenfonds Vervoer, Pensioenfonds ING, SPF, and SPH.

The investors are calling on the companies to make sure that the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) roadmap is implemented to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of the vaccine. In addition, the group has specifically asked pharmaceutical companies to integrate WHO goals into the executive remuneration strategy “in a meaningful, material, measurable and transparent way”.

“We deem the integration of the WHO goals into executive remuneration policies as a salient financial and material step. The manner and timing in which this is done provides important information that enables shareholders to make informed voting decisions on topics regarding executive remuneration and board appointments,” the letter stated.

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