RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP

• The Aspen Group strives to uphold high standards of business ethics and integrity through the Group-wide implementation of the Code of Corporate Practices and Conduct as prescribed in the King II Report on Corporate Governance.
• The qualification, independence and contribution of Board members is formally evaluated on an annual basis to provide a sound foundation for good corporate governance in the Group.
• Compliance with relevant legislation, JSE Ltd Listings Requirements and industry-specific regulations is carefully monitored.
• Specific attention is given to the effective implementation, monitoring and ongoing evaluation of sound internal controls throughout the Group.
• The Board, through the Audit & Risk Committee, is committed to the effective identification, reporting and monitoring of strategic, operational and financial risks, a function managed by the Group Chief Risk Officer.
• Aspen's Corporate Social Investment ("CSI") initiatives are aligned to supporting projects aimed at enhancing access to primary healthcare and those programmes which address prevention and management of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.
• Aspen supports global sustainability initiatives.

DIVERSIFICATION

• Geographies: operating on three continents and reaching approximately 100 countries, with the international operations contributing 44% and 47% to Group revenue and operating profits, respectively.
• Products: the portfolio consists of branded, generic, OTC, self-medication, infant nutritional and personal care products which range across a number of key therapeutic categories and which are registered in accordance with the regulatory requirements specific to each market.
• Manufacturing capability: includes tablets, capsules, suppositories, creams, ointments, liquids, steriles, penicillins, penems, IMFs and specialist APIs.
• Regulatory compliance: manufacturing facilities comply with the regulatory requirements of the various domestic and export markets into which products are supplied. Aspen has transformed from a domestic producer to a manufacturer with the capability to supply various dosage forms to any market in the world.
• People: more than 5 000 people are employed by the Group with due consideration being given to diversity and transformation management.