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Political donations

GSK makes political donations with corporate funds where such donations are authorized by law and are culturally appropriate. In 2005 we contributed £320,000 to political organisations in the US and Canada. The majority of donations are made in the US. All donations are covered by the GSK policy on political donations.

GSK does not make donations to political parties or other political organisations in the European Union. See our Annual Report for more information.

Contributions in the United States
In the US, candidates are financed primarily by contributions from companies, individuals, NGOs and other parties. The rules concerning contributions are complex. However it is important to note that corporate funds cannot be used to support candidates for federal office.

GSK corporate funds are only given to candidates at state level, in those states where such contributions are allowed by state law. These contributions are an accepted and important way for companies to engage in the political debate. In 2005, we donated $548,000 (approximately £301,000) to candidates for state-held offices in the US.

GSK contributions are not made on the basis of political party. GSK supports candidates who seek an environment that appropriately rewards high-risk, high-investment industries and believes in free market principles and intellectual property rights. All states make information about political donations publicly available.

Corporate contributions to national political parties and candidates running for federal office are prohibited by US law. In accordance with the Federal Election Campaign Act, there is a GSK Political Action Committee (PAC) that facilitates voluntary political contributions by eligible employees. The PAC is not controlled by GSK but by our participating employees, who have the legal right to set up a PAC and make contributions to candidates and political parties at the federal and state levels. The GSK PAC is run by employees and all contributions are voluntary. PAC contributions are subject to strict limitations. For example, the GSK PAC may not contribute in excess of $5,000 to a candidate for federal office per election.

PAC contributions are determined by a governing board of PAC-participating GSK employees from across the company. As required by law, PAC contributions are reported to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), the agency that oversees federal election activities. In 2005, the first half of the two-year federal election cycle, the GSK employees’ PAC contributed $514,000 in total to 379 candidates for state and federal offices.

Contributions in Canada
In 2005, GSK donated $CAD 42,000 (approximately £19,000) in Canada to political candidates in those provinces where it is legal.

Contributions in other countries
No contributions were made in other countries during 2005.

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