BAGSVEARD, DENMARK - ‘What does being there mean to you?’ This question is put to readers by Novo Nordisk in its Sustainability Report 2003. Being there is Novo Nordisk’s promise to its stakeholders.

“To me, Novo Nordisk’s promise of being there is about being responsible, committed and accountable. To people whose healthcare needs we serve, to employees, to our shareholders, and to society at large,” says Lars Rebien Sørensen, CEO and President of Novo Nordisk.

Being a leader in diabetes care, defeating diabetes is Novo Nordisk’s aspiration. It is more than a business proposition – it is the main driver for the company’s contribution to sustainable development.

The annual sustainablity report, issued together with the Annual Financial Report a the summary Annual review, is one way to how Novo Nordisk builds its business son this premise. The 2003 Sustainability Report accounts for Novo Nordisk’s approach to doing business and presents the key issues and dilemmas that the company is facing.

Under the headings ‘taking responsibility’, ‘acting on our commitments’ and ‘being accountable’, the report discusses issues that stakeholders find important and presents the company’s performance on living our values, access to health, our employees, our use of animals, eco-efficiency and compliance, and economic contribution. In addition, six representatives of stakeholders give their views on how to deal with the dilemmas which have been framed this year.

“Access to health is the pivotal theme of our report this year,” says Susanne Stormer, manager in Stakeholder Relations. “Helping to provide health for all is a particular challenge to the pharmaceutical industry. It is also an essential building block for global wealth creation, democratic development, eco-balance and social equity. And it links directly into the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.”

Novo Nordisk supports the development of global standards for corporate account-ability. The printed report is backed by an internet version which provides an index of the report in accordance with the GRI’s 2002 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines and Novo Nordisk’s response to the Global Compact principles. The internet version also has additional information and the full data set. By the end of March this will be followed by reports for our largest production sites.

Novo Nordisk is a focused healthcare company. With the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems, Novo Nordisk is a world leader in diabetes care. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position in areas such as haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society.

See the Sustainability Report at www.novonordisk.com/sustainability

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