International volunteer programs can be life-changing. Take Doug Mackie, an IT Business Analyst at GSK. Though a father of three college-age children, Doug had never had a passport or left the United States before his recent GSK PULSE assignment in Kenya. Following his assignment, Doug's perspective on life, work, and his career at GSK was changed forever. Read "Six Months in Kenya, Changing Lives" to hear how Doug's experience brought new meaning to GSK's focus on the patient.

GSK recently took a big step forward in sharing some very valuable data with scientists around the world. We launched a website where researchers can request access to anonymised patient-level data that sit behind the results of our clinical trials.

These data represent a tremendous contribution by patients to clinical trials in the hopes of advancing healthcare and medicine. It also represents years of scientific research and the collective wisdom of employees around the world who gathered, organized and analyzed the data.

What will this mean for patients? It means scientists have a new place to look for trends to pursue in their own research. We are optimistic there will be many opportunities to accelerate research and to better focus that research so that all of us in the healthcare system can improve patient care. This data will also allow external scientists to further validate our trial results.

This system is new and we expect that our approach will evolve over time. We're committed to take learnings from the experiences of researchers using the system to improve it. The system provides access to GSK's data and we hope to see the development of a broader system where anonymised patient level data from clinical studies conducted by industry and academia are made available to further scientific research, increase understanding of new and current medicines and ultimately improve patient care.

This made me proud as a physician-researcher. GSK is the first pharmaceutical company to take this step. We already post summary protocols about each clinical trial that we start. We also provide summary results of all clinical trials--whether positive or negative--on a website accessible to all. We also seek publication of the results of all our clinical trials in peer-reviewed scientific journals. And we were the first pharmaceutical company to sign up to the AllTrials campaign for clinical data transparency by committing in February 2013 to make our clinical study reports (CSRs) publicly available.

I hope you'll take a look at this new website and, if you are a researcher, I hope you're as excited about this new opportunity as I am.

GSK CEO Sir Andrew Witty and Save the Children CEO Justin Forsyth visit a family in Wajir, north east Kenya, to launch a unique new partnership to help save one million children's lives.

Today, we announced an ambitious new partnership with Save the Children to save the lives of a million of the poorest children in the world.

While good progress has been made in recent years, almost seven million children die each year through lack of access to basic healthcare, vaccines or nutritious food. Through these and other initiatives, the partnership aims to help save the lives of one million children in the next five years. We're working together in a very different way--sharing expertise, resources, reach and influence to tackle some of the leading causes of childhood deaths.

GSK and Save the Children have been working together for eight years on a number of public health projects, including our initiative to reinvest 20% of the profits we make in the least-developed-countries in community programs to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, primarily through the training of community health workers. We've even sent a number of employees to work with them for extended assignments through our employee volunteer program called PULSE.

Ivy, who works in our Philadelphia office, recently returned from a PULSE assignment with Save the Children. Watch her describe why she is so excited about this new collaboration.

On Saturday, April 20, 2013, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia was transformed into a science wonderland, filled with awe and excitement!

The Philadelphia Science Carnival, a free outdoor event, featured more than 150 exhibits showcasing all types of hands-on science activities and games. The Carnival kicks off the Philadelphia Science Festival, which runs until April 28. GSK is a sponsor, and we had our own exhibit booth. We had 25 employee volunteer helping visitors to conduct science experiments related to the pharmaceutical industry. (I promise they were cool and fun for the kids!)

As a researcher, I was excited to share my love of science with the kids--and parents--who stopped by. One of my coworkers said "It made me realize that we sometimes forget how fortunate we are to be a part of something truly amazing on a daily basis. After a long hard day, we can go home and know that we will, ultimately, help someone in the future because of our efforts today. Science is cool."

She's right. Science is cool and our booth, which focused on how to discover a new medicine, was a popular attraction. Visitors practiced pipetting techniques and performed a colorimetric experiment to simulate how scientists go about "screening" thousands of compounds in an effort to find one that could treat a disease. They visited the molecular modeling station where they were given 3D glasses to work through a computer simulation that showed 3D protein structures of disease targets, medicines interacting with the disease site, and the chemical structure of medicines. The field of molecular modeling (designing medicines) uses state-of-the-art computational tools, 3D structures of disease targets and medicines, and chemical intuition. Each scene in the software demonstrated the similarities in shape and properties between the disease target and medicines, teaching the basic scientific principles of "like likes Like," "opposites attract," and "complementary shapes fit together."

The opportunity to expose people of all ages--but especially kids--to our industry is exciting. What could be more motivating than watching their eyes light when "discovering" a new medicine, and hearing them ask "Can I do that again?!" 

Who knows what this next generation can discover?

For nearly twenty years, GSK has honored innovative nonprofit programs located in and around our US corporate campuses in Research Triangle Park, NC and Philadelphia, PA with GSK IMPACT Awards. Annually, the GSK IMPACT Awards honor up to 20 outstanding nonprofit programs with $40,000 each in recognition of their achievements in improving access to health. And I am pleased to share that the 2013 call for applications is now open!

Many nonprofit programs help people--especially underserved populations--live healthier lives and contribute to a healthier community. The scope of this year's awards has expanded. Now, eligible programs include ones that promote healthy lifestyles, advance educational outcomes, and address many important determinants of our health. The expanded focus aligns with our efforts to explore what it means, and what it takes, to be a healthy community.

Learn more, help spread the word, and apply here by Friday, May 31, 2013 at 4:00 PM EDT.

GSK received some exciting news yesterday--three of our employees were named to the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute's (PCORI) newly-created Advisory Boards. As the person on point for coordinating GSK's efforts on comparative effectiveness research, I was thrilled when the email announcing their appointments popped up in my inbox. This news means that my capable colleagues will have the opportunity to inform PCORI's efforts to determine the evidence patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals in the US need to make better-informed healthcare decisions. 

Comparative effectiveness research compares the benefits and risks of different ways to prevent, diagnose, treat and monitor a medical condition or to improve the delivery of care. This type of research has received a significant boost under the Affordable Care Act, which established PCORI as an independent, non-profit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. PCORI is projected to fund roughly $300 million annually in comparative effectiveness research. And its importance is expected to grow over time.

PCORI received 1,295 applications for the 84 available spots. Of those, four were granted to pharmaceutical industry representatives--including two GSK employees David, a Health Outcomes Liaison, National Accounts, has been appointed to the panel for "Improving Health Care Systems;" and Priti, a Senior Director in US Health Outcomes, who was appointed to the panel for "Assessment of Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options." Jill, a Senior Director of Clinical Effectiveness, was selected as an alternate.

The advisory panels are not responsible for setting PCORI's policies, but are considered critical to the organization's ongoing efforts.

The nomination of three GSK employees is a testament to their expertise, as well as our company's commitment to helping healthcare professionals and payers determine which treatment options are most effective for which patients under what circumstances. 

We also have to acknowledge that we're in good company!  On behalf of all of us at GSK, congratulations to all of those appointed to the PCORI Advisory Panels. Together we're making a meaningful difference in our nation's health.

Hot off the presses! GSK just issued its 2012 Corporate Responsibility (CR) report. If you don't have time to devour all 75 pages, then allow me to quickly share my top five favorite achievements:

5) Pipeline

The most significant contribution GSK can make to improving health is through scientific innovation--researching and developing new treatments, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. To that end, our R&D made significant progress in 2012 with six new products now under regulatory review. Over the next three years, GSK has the potential to bring 15 new medicines and vaccines to patients. And we have doubled funding for our independent research into diseases of the developing world. (Read more on page 14.)

4) Leading the Industry in Access

I am particularly proud of GSK's commitment to ensuring patients around the world have access to our medicines. In 2012, GSK topped the Access to Medicines Index (ATMI) for the third time. This ranking by the Access to Medicines Foundation examines how much the top 20 pharmaceutical companies are doing to improve access to medicines in the developing world. GSK ranked highest overall and achieved the highest score in four of the seven categories--access management, research and development, capacity advancement, and philanthropy, and were in the top three in all categories. (Read more on page 18.)

3) Unprecedented Transparency in our Clinical Trials Data

GSK made several significant commitments in 2012 to improve transparency around our clinical trials data. Specifically, we committed to provide access to detailed, patient-level data from clinical trials of our approved medicines or medicines that are no longer in development. The data are anonomyized so we are safeguarding patient confidentiality. We believe this is a significant step towards helping advance scientific understanding and informing medical judgment. Already, nearly 11,000 visitors a month are accessing and leveraging the data. Also, GSK became the first pharmaceutical company to sign up to the AllTrials campaign for clinical trial transparency. (Read more on pages 33 and 41.)

2) Making Progress on our Commitments to our Planet

Environmental sustainability is a priority for GSK. We rely on precious natural resources to produce our medicines and products. And these resources are becoming scarcer and more expensive as global demand increases. Our stakeholders expect us to manage our environmental use and impacts responsibly. In 2012, GSK reduced water consumption in our own operations by 14% and cut total waste by 9%. Unfortunately, our total carbon footprint has increased by 7% from 2010, and this was driven by the carbon emissions from higher inhaler sales. In 2012, we launched a first-of-its kind respiratory inhaler recycling program in the UK, US, and Chile. (Read more starting on page 63.)

GSK also achieved global certification to the Carbon Trust Standard, which certifies that, across the company, we are making year-on-year overall reductions in emissions associated with operations and transport for the time period. We're the only multinational to have achieved this standard to date. (Read more on page 65.)

1)  Donated $330 Million in Products and Funds

GSK donated $330 million in products and funds in 2012 to advance the health and well-being of communities around the world. If you break that down, it's equal to more than $6 million a week.

·         Donated nearly $208 million worth of medicines (at cost)

·         Donated nearly $121 million in funds

GSK's donations are reinforced through our employee volunteer PULSE program. In 2012, PULSE supported 91 GSK employees from 22 countries as they contributed their time and talents in full-time, 3-6 month skill-based assignments at 51 nonprofit organizations throughout 26 countries. (Read more on page 54.)

I was pleased to learn that almost half of GSK's total giving helped uninsured or under-insured  Americans get the medicines they need through our U.S. through our Patient Assistance Programs (GSK supported more than 356,000 low-income patients in the U.S. in 2012). (Read more on page 20 and 27.) 

Imagine having a child with cancer, and learning their cancer has not responded to treatment. You're told that there is a novel treatment option, but you need to travel hundreds of miles because it is not available at your local hospital. Then imagine the financial burden that comes from weekly or monthly visits for that treatment. 

While the medical care is often covered by insurance, the hidden costs--airfare, gas, hotels, meals and other expenses--can make it nearly impossible for some families to get the treatment their child needs.  As a social worker at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Cancer Center, I meet with families in this predicament every day. Five years ago, there were limited resources dedicated to helping families in this way. But a partnership between The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and GlaxoSmithKline Foundation has changed that.

On March 18, we celebrated the five-year anniversary of the GlaxoSmithKline Hope for Families Fund, a $2.5 million endowment that provides assistance to qualifying families for travel and living expenses they incur while enrolled in investigational and/or novel treatments at the Cancer Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The Fund helps eligible families who are struggling with financial hardship, many of whom would be unable to travel to CHOP without it. 

These are families who have been dealing with a cancer diagnosis for months or even years. These are parents who are no longer able to work or are working greatly reduced hours due to the care needs of their sick child. These are families with medical expenses and/or debts that have been building up over time. 

When we are able to tell families that we have this fund, it is a relief that I could never describe with just words. The GSK Hope for Families Fund allows parents the ability to focus on the care of their child and not on the financial expenses of getting to Philadelphia. The emotional burden that is lifted with this tremendous resource is a true gift for these families. It is a gift that provides families with support time and time again...some of whom are traveling to Children's Hospital from across the country, sometimes from across the world, every 6 weeks or even more frequently!

The fund has helped 94 families so far, and, because it is a permanent endowment, will help many more in the years to come.

We've been on a bit of a tour of the US over the last year. As part of a partnership with The Atlantic, we traveled to Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Denver gathering community leaders to talk about the health of their neighborhoods, towns, and regions--and just what makes for a healthy community. These conversations were designed to examine the barriers to good health and identify opportunities to build healthier communities.  

In addition, we worked with The Atlantic to conduct a survey of more than 1,000 people across the US to find out how they think their communities are faring. "The Atlantic-GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) National Community Health Check-Up," conducted by Penn, Schoen & Berland this past January, found a strong majority of Americans place a premium on healthcare providers and environment as being primary drivers of their community's health.

Despite an optimistic view of health in their communities, significant portions of the US population are not convinced that they have sufficient access to key resources for good health, while 60 percent of Americans say online information is important to their health. Perhaps most surprisingly, 90 percent of Americans consider themselves to be healthy, despite the barrage of reports to the contrary.

Some interesting trends were identified:

·         Americans perceive themselves to be healthy--but don't necessarily see personal responsibility as the primary driver of health. A strong majority of Americans place a premium on healthcare providers and environment as being primary drivers of their community's health. Lower-income individuals, defined as those making less than $50,000 in household income, in particular (55 percent), think doctors and hospitals should be primarily responsible for ensuring good health in a community.

·         Low-income Americans lack access to community health resources. While Americans believe a variety of community factors are very important to their health, such as good air and water quality (87 percent), regular access to doctors and dentists (82 percent), healthy food choices (81 percent), and nearby hospitals and urgent care facilities (74 percent), the poll found significant unmet needs for the most underserved in this country with those who most value these community health resources having the least access to them.

·         Technology is an emerging source for health information. Americans want technology to become a bigger part of the healthcare system with 64 percent using online health resources and 94 percent of those saying the health/medical information they find online is important to their health. The younger population, in general, are far more prone to embrace and utilize health information technology; however, this group also tends to place greater emphasis on removing face-to-face interaction with healthcare professionals and self-diagnosing their conditions.

We continue to ask ourselves what we can do to be a better partner in the communities we serve to ensure Americans have the resources and opportunities they need to live healthier lives. We've learned a great deal already--and we're looking forward to continuing this conversation, and GSK's commitment, to our communities.