In August 2009, the Economist Intelligence Unit conducted a global survey of executives in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry on how risk is managed in their organisations. The 65 responses were compared with those of a June 2009 global survey of 353 executives in a broad range of other industries. Of the pharmaceutical and life sciences respondents, nearly half (46%) are C-level executives and the remainder are other senior executives and managers. Sixty-eight percent represent companies with annual global revenues above US$500m. The survey focused on North America (65% of respondents), but had respondents from Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America as well. The Economist Intelligence Unit executed the survey, conducted the analysis and wrote the report. The findings and views expressed in the report do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsor.