A Conversation with Marco Kraemer: Human Rights in the Global Value Chain

Question: Mr. Kraemer, the term “human rights” often sounds abstract. What do human rights mean concretely for Fresenius Kabi in a business context, and how do we put this commitment into practice?

Marco Kraemer: Human rights are fundamental rights and freedoms to which every person is entitled. In our company, this includes, for example, the right to fair and safe working conditions, equal treatment, and the freedom to join a trade union. We respect these rights not only within our own operations but also expect our business partners to uphold the same standards. To this end, we have established a global Human Rights Program, brought to life by an interdisciplinary team from areas such as human resources, procurement, and occupational safety.

Question: What particular challenges do you face when implementing human rights commitments along the global value chain in the MedTech, BioPharma, Pharma, and Nutrition sectors?

Marco Kraemer: One major challenge is the variety of political and social frameworks in the countries where we operate. In some regions, for instance, freedom of speech or association is restricted, or discrimination is widespread. While we cannot change these societal conditions on our own, we consistently adhere to our high internal standards, always in compliance with local laws. Another challenge is the complexity of our value chain, especially when intermediate products are produced in tiers in the deeper value chain, which makes achieving full transparency more difficult.

Question: How does membership in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI) support Fresenius Kabi in respecting human rights?

Marco Kraemer: By joining the PSCI, we clearly commit to shared responsibility, ethical sourcing, and collaborative partnerships with other pharmaceutical companies – key factors in respecting human rights throughout the entire value chain. Since 2025, we have been participating in the industry-wide audit-sharing program, which allows member companies to share audit results with one another. This reduces the number of audits per supplier, increases efficiency, and enhances transparency regarding working conditions. As a result, corrective and remedial actions within the pharmaceutical supply chain can be implemented more effectively.

In addition, being part of a global network of more than 80 companies enables us to benefit from the joint development of best practices and industry-wide cooperation to value human rights standards.