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Merck vs Novartis

On overall TruNorth grade, Merck scores higher (Merck: B, Novartis: B). Both graded from public records across nine values categories.

B
Merck
58.8/100
B
Novartis
51.5/100

Political donations

Merck

FEC: $7K PAC donations; 100% to Republican, 0% to Democratic committees.

Novartis

FEC: $32K PAC donations; 48% to Republican, 52% to Democratic committees.

Environment

Merck

CDP Climate Change: A- (2024) — leadership-band environmental disclosure with validated targets.

Novartis

CDP A-List (2024) — top tier for climate disclosure and emissions-reduction action.

Labor

Merck

90 federal penalties totaling $10.7B since 2000 (Violation Tracker).

Novartis

37 federal penalties totaling $2.4B since 2000 (Violation Tracker).

DEI

Merck

HRC Corporate Equality Index: 100/100 — Equality 100 Leader (2025). Top-rated LGBTQ+ workplace policies, benefits, and culture. JUST Capital JUST 100 — ranked #76 of Russell 1000 (2025) for treatment of workers, customers, communities, environment. Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index member (2024) — transparent on female leadership, equal pay, inclusive culture. HRC Corporate Equality Index 100/100 (2025) — top-tier LGBTQ+ workplace equality rating.

Novartis

HRC Corporate Equality Index 100/100 (2025) — top-tier LGBTQ+ workplace equality rating.

Charity

Merck

$2.70B reported corporate giving in 2024 (~4.19% of revenue) via Merck Foundation. JUST Capital JUST 100 — ranked #76 of Russell 1000 (2025) for treatment of workers, customers, communities, environment. Newsweek Most Trustworthy Companies in America — ranked #64 (2024). Operates the Merck Company Foundation: $24.3M in charitable contributions, gifts & grants paid (FY2023, IRS Form 990-PF).

Novartis

$100M reported corporate giving in 2024 (~0.19% of revenue) via Novartis US Foundation.

Animal testing

Merck

No public record found.

Novartis

No public record found.

Firearms

Merck

No public record found.

Novartis

No public record found.

Privacy

Merck

No public record found.

Novartis

State regulator action: NC AG (most recent 2026-02-03). ~$17.9M in known settlements. Attorney General Jeff Jackson Reaches $17.85 Million Settlement with Lannett and Bausch Over Generic Drug Price Fixing; Sues Novartis and…

Executive pay

Merck

CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio 191:1 (median employee pay $108,614) — SEC proxy statement (DEF 14A, 2026).

Novartis

No public record found.

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