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Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Significant Accounting Policies

NOTE 1—SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

 

a.

General:

Operations

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (the “Parent Company”), headquartered in Israel, together with its subsidiaries and associated companies (the “Company,” “Teva” or the “Group”), is engaged in the development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of generics, specialty medicines and biopharmaceuticals. The majority of the Group’s revenues are in the United States and Europe.

Basis of presentation and use of estimates

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”).

In preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported years. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

As applicable to these consolidated financial statements, the most significant estimates and assumptions relate to determining the valuation and recoverability of intangible assets and goodwill; assessing sales reserves and allowances, and contingent consideration; assessing compliance with debt covenants; uncertain tax positions, valuation allowances, contingencies, inventory valuation and restructuring.

Accounting for Venezuelan Operations

Until November 30, 2017, the financial position and results of operations of Teva’s Venezuelan business, conducted through a number of wholly-owned subsidiaries, were included in Teva’s consolidated financial statements and reported under highly-inflationary accounting principles, with the functional currency of the U.S. dollar.

Effective November 30, 2017, Teva deconsolidated its Venezuelan subsidiaries and began accounting for its investments in its Venezuelan operations using the cost method of accounting under the measurement alternative. The estimated fair value of the investments was immaterial based on expected future cash flow, considering ongoing hyper-inflation and economic and political uncertainty in Venezuela. The assigned values are considered Level 3 measurements within the fair value hierarchy.

Teva’s financial results include sales of finished goods to the Venezuelan subsidiaries, to the extent cash payments are received from these subsidiaries, while cost of sales is recorded when goods are imported to Venezuela. The Venezuelan subsidiaries’ results were immaterial in terms of assets, liabilities, operating results and cash flows for the eleven months ended November 30, 2017.

Upon assessing the facts as of December 31, 2018, Teva continues to believe its previous conclusion regarding its lack of control or significant influence over its Venezuelan operations is appropriate. Teva will continue to monitor the conditions in Venezuela and their impact on its prospective accounting treatment and related disclosures.

Functional currency

A major part of the Group’s operations is carried out by the Company in the United States, Israel and certain other countries. The functional currency of these entities is the U.S. dollar (“dollar” or “$”).

 

The functional currency of certain subsidiaries and associated companies is their local currency. The financial statements of those companies are included in the consolidated financial statements, translated into U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities are translated at year-end exchange rates, while revenues and expenses are translated at monthly average exchange rates during the year. Differences resulting from translation are presented as other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

In the event of a divestiture of a foreign subsidiary, the related foreign currency translation results are reversed from equity to income. Foreign currency exchange gains and losses are included in net income (loss).

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries and VIEs for which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. For those consolidated subsidiaries where Teva owns less than 100%, the outside shareholders’ interests are shown as non-controlling interests in equity. Investments in affiliates over which the Company has significant influence but not a controlling interest, are carried on the equity basis.

For VIEs, the Company performs an analysis to determine whether the variable interests give a controlling financial interest in a VIE. The Company periodically reassesses whether it controls its VIEs.

Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation; profits from intercompany sales, not yet realized outside the Group, are also eliminated.

 

b.

New accounting pronouncements

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

On January 1, 2018, Teva adopted the new accounting standard ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, and all the related amendments (“new revenue standard”) to all contracts using the modified retrospective method. The cumulative initial effect of applying the new revenue standard was immaterial. See note 9 for further discussion.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09 “Stock Compensation—Scope of Modification Accounting”. This guidance addresses changes to terms and conditions of share-based payment awards. The amendment provides guidance about which changes to terms and conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. The guidance is effective for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2018, including interim periods within that year. Teva adopted the provisions of this update as of January 1, 2018. The impact that this new standard has on Teva’s financial statements after adoption will depend on any modification of share-based compensation after the adoption.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05 “Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets: Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets”. The amendments address the recognition of gains and losses on the transfer (i.e., sale) of nonfinancial assets to counterparties other than customers. The guidance conforms de-recognition of nonfinancial assets to the model for transactions in the new revenue standard. Teva adopted the provisions of this update as of January 1, 2018 with no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 “Statement of Cash Flows—Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”. The guidance addresses eight specific issues: debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of certain debt instruments; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies; distributions received from equity method investees; beneficial interest in securitization transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The amendments should be applied retrospectively. Teva adopted the provisions of this update as of January 1, 2018. This resulted in the reclassification of $1,735 million, $1,282 million and $1,335 million of beneficial interest in securitization transactions from operating activities to investing activities for the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Accounting Standards Update Financial Accounting”. This guidance updates certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of equity investments. The guidance requires entities to recognize changes in fair value in net income rather than in accumulated other comprehensive income. Teva adopted this update as of January 1, 2018. Following the adoption, the Company recorded a $5 million opening balance reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings. See note 14.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements, not yet adopted

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18 ”Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808)—Clarifying the interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606”. The amendments provide guidance on whether certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue under ASC 606. It also specifically (i) addresses when the participant should be considered a customer in the context of a unit of account, (ii) adds unit-of-account guidance in ASC 808 to align with guidance in ASC 606, and (iii) precludes presenting revenue from a collaborative arrangement together with revenue recognized under ASC 606 if the collaborative arrangement participant is not a customer. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted and should be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15 “Intangibles—Goodwill and other—Internal-use software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract”. This guidance aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)—Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”. This guidance removes certain disclosure requirements related to the fair value hierarchy, modifies existing disclosure requirements related to measurement uncertainty and adds new disclosure requirements. The new disclosure requirements include disclosing the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. Certain disclosures required by this guidance must be applied on a retrospective basis and others on a prospective basis. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07 “Improvement to Nonemployee Share-Based Payments Accounting”. This guidance simplifies the accounting for non-employee share-based payment transactions. The amendments specify that ASC 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor’s own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2018. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. The guidance allows reclassification of stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of this guidance has no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12 “Derivatives and Hedging—Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities”. This guidance expands and refines hedge accounting for both non-financial and financial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses—Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. This guidance replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The guidance will be effective for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2020, including interim periods within that year. Teva is currently evaluating the potential effect of the guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases”. The guidance establishes a right-of-use model (“ROU”) that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statement. The guidance became effective on January 1, 2019. A modified retrospective transition approach is required, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. An entity may choose to use either (i) its effective date or (ii) the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements as its date of initial application. If an entity chooses the second option, the transition requirements for existing leases also apply to leases entered into between the date of initial application and the effective date. The entity must then also recast its comparative period financial statements and provide the disclosures required by the new standard for the comparative periods. Teva expects to adopt the new standard on January 1, 2019 and uses the effective date as Teva’s date of initial application. Consequently, financial information will not be updated and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods before January 1, 2019.

The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. Teva does not expect to elect the ‘package of practical expedients‘, which permits the Company not to reassess its prior conclusions regarding lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs under the new standard. In addition, Teva also does not expect to elect the practical expedient pertaining to land easements. However, the Company does expect to elect the practical expedient pertaining to the use-of hindsight.

Teva expects that the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on Teva’s financial statements. While Teva continues to assess all the effects of adoption, Teva currently believes that the most significant impact will be reflected in: (i) the recognition of new ROU assets and lease liabilities on Teva’s balance sheet for its operating leases of real estate, vehicles and equipment, and (ii) the requirement to provide significant new disclosures regarding Teva’s leasing activities. The Company, however, does not expect a material impact to its consolidated statements of income and consolidated statements of cash flow.

Following adoption of the new standard, Teva expects to recognize additional operating liabilities ranging from $560 million to $660 million, with corresponding ROU assets of approximately the same amount based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments under current leasing standards for existing operating leases.

The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting. Teva expects to elect the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. This means, for those leases, Teva will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities, including not recognizing ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in transition. Teva also expects to elect the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all of Teva’s leases, other than leases of real estate.

The Company has performed, and will continue to perform a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of this guidance on the Company, including assessing the Company’s lease portfolio, implementation of a new enterprise-wide lease management system to meet reporting requirements, assessing the impact to business processes and implementation of internal controls over financial reporting and related disclosure requirements. The Company is working closely with the software system developer, as the timely readiness of the lease software system is critical to ensure an efficient and effective adoption of the standard.

 

c.

Acquisitions:

Teva’s consolidated financial statements include the operations of an acquired business from the date of the acquisition’s consummation. Acquired businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, that most assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date and that the fair value of acquired in process research and development (“IPR&D”) be recorded on the balance sheet. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred. Any excess of the consideration transferred over the assigned values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. When Teva acquires net assets that do not constitute a business, as defined under U.S. GAAP, no goodwill is recognized and acquired IPR&D is expensed.

Contingent consideration incurred in a business combination is included as part of the acquisition price and recorded at a probability weighted assessment of its fair value as of the acquisition date. The fair value of the contingent consideration is re-measured at each reporting period, with any adjustments in fair value recognized in earnings under impairments, restructuring and others.

 

d.

Collaborative arrangements:

Collaborative agreements are contractual arrangements in which the parties are active participants to the arrangement and are exposed to the significant risks and rewards that are dependent on the ultimate commercial success of the endeavor.

The Company recognizes revenue generated and costs incurred on sales to third parties as it relates to collaborative agreements as gross or net. If the Company is the principal participant in a transaction, revenues and costs are recorded on a gross basis; otherwise, revenues are recorded on a net basis.

 

e.

Equity investments:

The Company measures equity investments at fair value with changes in fair value now recognized in net income. The Company accounts for equity investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value as cost method investments under the measurement alternative prescribed within ASU 2016-01 “Financial Instruments – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, to the extent such investments are not subject to consolidation or the equity method. Under the measurement alternative, these financial instruments are carried at cost, less any impairment (assessed quarterly), adjusted for changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. In addition, income is recognized when dividends are received only to the extent they are distributed from net accumulated earnings of the investee. Otherwise, such distributions are considered returns of investment and are recorded as a reduction of the cost of the investment.

 

f.

Fair value measurement:

The Company measures fair value and discloses fair value measurements for financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The accounting standard establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels, which are described below:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.

Level 2: Observable inputs that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.

In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible and considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value.

 

g.

Investment in securities:

Investment in securities consists of debt securities classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value. The fair value of quoted securities is based on current market value. When debt securities do not have an active market, fair value is determined using a valuation model. This model is based on reference to other instruments with similar characteristics, or a discounted cash flow analysis, or other pricing models making use of market inputs and relying as little as possible on entity-specific inputs.

Unrealized gains of available for sale securities, net of taxes, are reflected in other comprehensive income. Unrealized losses considered to be temporary are reflected in other comprehensive income; unrealized losses that are considered to be other-than-temporary are charged to income as an impairment charge. Realized gains and losses for debt securities are included in financial expense, net.

The Company considers available evidence in evaluating potential impairments of its investments, including the duration and extent to which fair value is less than cost. For debt securities, an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred if the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the debt security. If the Company does not intend to sell the impaired debt security, and it is not more likely than not it will be required to sell the debt security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis, the amount of the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings, recorded in financial expense, net, is limited to the portion attributed to credit loss. The remaining portion of the other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income.

 

h.

Cash and cash equivalents:

All highly liquid investments, which include short-term bank deposits and money market instruments, that are not restricted as to withdrawal or use, and investment in short-term debentures, the period to maturity of which did not exceed three months at the time of investment, are considered to be cash equivalents.

 

i.

Trade receivables:

Trade receivables are stated at their net realizable value. The allowance against gross trade receivables reflects the best estimate of losses inherent in the receivables portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available information. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, an allowance for doubtful debts in the amount of $232 million is reflected in net trade receivables. Trade receivables are written off after all reasonable means to collect the full amount have been exhausted.

 

j.

Concentration of credit risks:

Most of Teva’s cash and cash equivalents (which, along with investment in securities, totaled $1,845 million at December 31, 2018) were deposited with European, U.S. and Israeli banks and financial institutions and were comprised mainly of cash deposits.

The pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the United States, has been significantly affected by consolidation among managed care providers, large pharmacy chains, wholesaling organizations and other buyer groups. The U.S. market constituted approximately 48% of Teva’s consolidated revenues in 2018. The exposure of credit risks relating to other trade receivables is limited, due to the relatively large number of group customers and their wide geographic distribution. Teva performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers for the purpose of determining the appropriate allowance for doubtful accounts and generally does not require collateral. An appropriate allowance for doubtful accounts is included in the accounts and netted against trade receivables.

 

k.

Inventories:

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost of raw and packaging materials, purchased products, manufactured finished products, products in process and capitalized production costs are determined predominantly on a standard cost basis, approximating average costs. Other methods which are utilized for determining the value of inventories are moving average, cost basis and the first in first out method. Teva regularly reviews its inventories for obsolescence and other impairment risks and reserves are established when necessary.

Inventories acquired in a business combination are stepped-up to their estimated fair value and amortized to cost of sales as that inventory is sold.

 

l.

Long-lived assets:

Teva’s long-lived, non-current assets are comprised mainly of goodwill, identifiable intangible assets and property, plant and equipment. All long-lived assets are monitored for impairment indicators throughout the year. Impairment testing for goodwill and all identifiable intangible assets is performed at least annually. When necessary, charges for impairments of long-lived assets are recorded for the amount by which the fair value is less than the carrying value of these assets.

Goodwill

Goodwill reflects the excess of the consideration transferred, including the fair value of any contingent consideration and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree, over the assigned fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, and is assigned to reporting units and tested for impairment at least on an annual basis, in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year.

The goodwill impairment test is performed according to the following principles:

 

  1.

An initial qualitative assessment may be performed to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.

 

  2.

If the Company concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying mount, a quantitative fair value test is performed. An impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value is recognized.

An interim goodwill impairment test may be required in advance of the annual impairment test if events occur that indicate impairment might be present. For example, a substantial decline in the Company’s market capitalization, unexpected adverse business conditions, economic factors and unanticipated competitive activities may indicate that an interim impairment test is required. In the event that the Company’s market capitalization declines below its book value, the Company considers the length and severity of the decline and the reason for the decline when assessing whether potential goodwill impairment exists.

Identifiable intangible assets

Identifiable intangible assets are comprised of definite life intangible assets and indefinite life intangible assets.

Definite life intangible assets consist mainly of acquired product rights and other rights relating to products for which marketing approval was received from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or the equivalent agencies in other countries. These assets are amortized mainly using the straight-line method over their estimated period of useful life, or based on economic benefit models, if more appropriate, which is determined by identifying the period and manner in which substantially all of the cash flows are expected to be generated. Amortization of acquired developed products is recorded under cost of sales. Amortization of marketing and distribution rights is recorded under selling and marketing (“S&M”) expenses when separable.

Indefinite life intangible assets are mainly comprised of research and development in-process assets. Teva monitors these assets for items such as research and development milestones and progress to identify any triggering events. Teva determines the fair value of the asset annually or when triggering events are present, based on discounted cash flows and records an impairment loss if book value exceeds fair value.

IPR&D acquired in a business combination is capitalized as an indefinite life intangible asset until the related research and development efforts are either completed or abandoned. In the reporting period where they are treated as indefinite life intangible assets, they are not amortized but rather are monitored triggering events and tested for impairment. Upon completion of the related research and development efforts, management determines the useful life of the intangible assets and amortizes them accordingly. In case of abandonment, the related research and development assets are impaired.

Whenever impairment indicators are identified for definite life intangible assets, Teva reconsiders the asset’s estimated life, calculates the undiscounted value of the asset’s or asset group’s cash flows and compares such value against the asset’s or asset group’s carrying amount. If the carrying amount is greater, Teva records an impairment loss for the excess of book value over fair value based on the discounted cash flows.

In determining the estimated fair value of identifiable intangible assets, Teva utilized a discounted cash flow model. The key assumptions within the model related to forecasting future revenue and operating income, an appropriate discount rate and an appropriate terminal value based on the nature of the long-lived asset. The Company’s updated forecasts of net cash flows for the impaired assets reflect, among others, the following: (i) for IPR&D assets, the impact of changes to the development programs, the projected development and regulatory timeframes and the risks associated with these assets; and (ii) for product rights, pricing and volume projections, as well as patent life and any significant changes to the competitive environment.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, after deduction of the related investment grants, and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets: buildings, mainly 40 years; machinery and equipment, mainly between 15 to 20 years; and other assets, between 5 to 10 years.

For property, plant and equipment, whenever impairment indicators are identified, Teva reconsiders the asset’s estimated life, calculates the undiscounted value of the asset’s cash flows and compares such value against the asset’s carrying amount. If the carrying amount is greater, Teva records an impairment loss for the excess of book value over fair value.

 

m.

Contingencies:

The Company is involved in various patent, product liability, commercial, government investigations, environmental claims and other legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Except for income tax contingencies, contingent consideration, other contingent liabilities incurred or acquired in a business combination, Teva records accruals for these types of contingencies to the extent that Teva concludes their occurrence is probable and that the related liabilities are estimable. When accruing these costs, the Company will recognize an accrual in the amount within a range of loss that is the best estimate within the range. When no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the Company accrues for the minimum amount within the range. Teva records anticipated recoveries under existing insurance contracts that are probable of occurring at the gross amount that is expected to be collected. Legal costs are expensed as incurred.

The Company recognizes gain contingencies when they are realized or when all related contingencies have been resolved.

 

n.

Treasury shares:

Treasury shares are presented as a reduction of Teva shareholders’ equity and carried at their cost to Teva, under treasury shares.

 

o.

Stock-based compensation:

Teva recognizes the estimated fair value of share-based awards, restricted share units (“RSUs”) and performance share units (“PSUs”) under stock-based compensation costs. The compensation expense for PSUs is recognized only if it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved.

Teva measures compensation expense for share-based awards based on estimated fair values on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. This option pricing model requires estimates as to the option’s expected term and the price volatility of the underlying stock. Teva amortizes the value of share-based awards to expense over the vesting period on a straight-line basis.

Teva measures compensation expense for the RSUs and PSUs based on the market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant, less an estimate of dividends that will not accrue to the RSU and PSU holders prior to vesting.

 

p.

Deferred income taxes:

Deferred income taxes are determined utilizing the “asset and liability” method based on the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial accounting and tax basis of assets and liabilities under the applicable tax laws, and on tax rates anticipated to be in effect when the deferred income taxes are expected to be paid or realized. A valuation allowance is provided if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is needed, Teva considers all available evidence, including historical information, long range forecast of future taxable income and evaluation of tax planning strategies. Amounts recorded for valuation allowance can result from a complex series of judgments about future events and can rely on estimates and assumptions. Deferred income tax liabilities and assets are classified as non-current.

Deferred tax has not been provided on the following items:

 

  1.

Taxes that would apply in the event of disposal of investments in subsidiaries, as it is generally the Company’s intention to hold these investments, not to realize them. The determination of the amount of related unrecognized deferred tax liability is not practicable.

 

  2.

Amounts of tax-exempt income generated from the Company’s current Approved Enterprises and unremitted earnings from foreign subsidiaries retained for reinvestment in the Group. See note 15f.

 

q.

Uncertain tax positions:

Teva recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit recognized in the financial statements for a particular tax position is based on the largest benefit that is more likely than not to be realized. Teva regularly re-evaluates its tax positions based on developments in its tax audits, statute of limitations expirations, changes in tax laws and new information that can affect the technical merits and change the assessment of Teva’s ability to sustain the tax benefit. In addition, the Company classifies interest and penalties recognized in the financial statements relating to uncertain tax position under the income taxes line item.

Provisions for uncertain tax positions, whereas Teva has net operating losses to offset additional income taxes that would result from the settlement of the tax position, are presented as a reduction of the deferred tax assets for such net operating loss.

 

r.

Derivatives and hedging:

The Group carries out transactions involving derivative financial instruments (mainly forward exchange contracts, currency options, cross-currency swap contracts, interest rate swap contracts and treasury locks). The transactions are designed to hedge the Company’s currency and interest rate exposures. The Company does not enter into derivative transactions for trading purposes.

Derivative instruments are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value.

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk is recognized in financial expenses—net in the statements of income in the period that the changes in fair value occur.

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash-flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same line item associated with the anticipated transaction in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The remaining gain or loss on the derivative instrument (i.e., the ineffective portion), if any, is recognized in the statement of income during the current period.

For derivative instruments that are designated as net-investment hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income. The effective portion is determined by looking into changes in spot exchange rate. The change in fair value attributable to changes other than those due to fluctuations in the spot exchange rate are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and are recognized in the statement of income under financial expenses-net.

For derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting, the cash flows associated with these derivatives are reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows consistently with the classification of the cash flows from the underlying hedged items that these derivatives are hedging.

Derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value, with changes in the fair value recognized as a component of financial expenses—net in the statements of income. The cash flows associated with these derivatives are reflected as cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

s.

Revenue recognition:

The Company’s revenue recognition accounting policy until December 31, 2017, prior to the adoption of the new revenue standard

The Company recognizes revenues from product sales, including sales to distributors when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the selling price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. This generally occurs when products are shipped and title and risk and rewards for the products are transferred to the customer.

Revenues from product sales are recorded net of provisions for estimated chargebacks, rebates, returns, prompt pay discounts and other deductions, such as shelf stock adjustments, which can be reasonably estimated. When sales provisions are not considered reasonably estimable by Teva, the revenue is deferred to a future period when more information is available to evaluate the impact.

 

Provisions for chargebacks, rebates including Medicaid and other governmental program discounts and other promotional items, such as shelf stock adjustments, are included in sales reserves and allowances (“SR&A”). These provisions are recognized concurrently with the sales of products. Prompt payment discounts are netted against trade receivables.

Calculations for these deductions from sales are based on historical experience and the specific terms in the individual agreements. Chargebacks and rebates are the largest components of sales reserves and allowances. Provisions for chargebacks are determined using historical chargeback experience and expected chargeback levels and wholesaler sales information for products, which are compared to externally obtained distribution channel reports for reasonableness. Rebates are recognized based on contractual obligations in place at the time of sales with consideration given to relevant factors that may affect the payment as well as historical experience for estimated market activity. Shelf-stock adjustments are granted to customers based on the existing inventory of a customer following decreases in the invoice or contract price of the related product and are estimated based on expected market performance. Teva records a reserve for estimated sales returns by applying historical experience of customer returns to the amounts invoiced and the amount of returned products to be destroyed versus products that can be placed back in inventory for resale.

Revenue resulting from the achievement of milestone events stipulated in agreements is recognized when the milestone is achieved. Milestones are based on the occurrence of a substantive element specified in the contract or as a measure of substantive progress toward completion under the contract

Revenues from licensees, sales of licensed products and technology are recorded in accordance with the contract terms, when third-party sales can be reliably measured and collection of the funds is reasonably assured.

Royalty revenue is recognized as a component of net revenues in accordance with the terms of their respective contractual agreements when collectability is reasonably assured and when revenue can be reasonably measured.

The Company’s revenue recognition accounting policy from January 1, 2018, following the adoption of the new revenue standard

On January 1, 2018, Teva adopted the new revenue standard to all contracts using the modified retrospective method. The cumulative initial effect of applying the new revenue standard was immaterial.

A contract with a customer exists only when: the parties to the contract have approved it and are committed to perform their respective obligations, the Company can identify each party’s rights regarding the distinct goods or services to be transferred (“performance obligations”), the Company can determine the transaction price for the goods or services to be transferred, the contract has commercial substance and it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration to which it will be entitled in exchange for the goods or services that will be transferred to the customer.

Revenues are recorded in the amount of consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for performance obligations upon transfer of control to the customer, excluding amounts collected on behalf of other third parties and sales taxes.

The amount of consideration to which Teva expects to be entitled varies as a result of rebates, chargebacks, returns and other sales reserves and allowances (“SR&A”) that the Company offers to its customers and their customers, as well as the occurrence or nonoccurrence of future events, including milestone events. A minimum amount of variable consideration is recorded by the Company concurrently with the satisfaction of performance obligations to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Estimates of variable consideration are based on historical experience and the specific terms in the individual agreements (which the Company believes approximates expected value). Rebates and chargebacks are the largest components of SR&A. If a minimum can not be reasonably estimated, such revenue may be deferred to a future period when better information is available. For further description of SR&A components and how they are estimated, see “Variable Consideration”, in note 9.

Shipping and handling costs, after control of the product has transferred to a customer, are accounted for as a fulfillment cost and are recorded under S&M expenses.

Teva does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component since the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between the time of transfer of the promised goods or services to the customer and the time the customer pays for these goods or services to be generally one year or less, based on the practical expedient. The Company’s credit terms to customers are, on average, between thirty and ninety days.

The Company generally recognizes the incremental costs of obtaining contracts as an expense since the amortization period of the assets that the Company otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. The costs are recorded under S&M expenses. Similarly, Teva does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with original expected duration of one year or less.

 

t.

Research and development:

Research and development expenses are charged to income as incurred. Participations and grants in respect of research and development expenses are recognized as a reduction of research and development expenses as the related costs are incurred, or as the related milestone is met. Upfront fees received in connection with cooperation agreements are deferred and recognized over the period of the applicable agreements as a reduction of research and development expenses.

Advance payments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities are deferred. Such amounts are recognized as an expense as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed.

Research and development in-process acquired as part of an asset purchase, which has not reached technological feasibility and has no alternative future use, is expensed as incurred.

 

u.

Shipping and handling costs:

Shipping and handling costs, which are included in S&M expenses, were $159 million, $164 million and $134 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

v.

Advertising costs:

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $256 million, $318 million and $312 million, respectively.

 

w.

Restructuring:

Restructuring provisions are recognized for the direct expenditures arising from restructuring initiatives, where the plans are sufficiently detailed and where appropriate communication to those affected has been made.

 

Costs for one-time termination benefits in which the employee is required to render service until termination in order to receive the benefits are recognized ratably over the future service period.

Contractual termination benefits are provided to employees when employment is terminated due to an event specified in the provisions of an existing plan or agreement. A liability is recorded and the expense is recognized when it is probable that employees will be entitled to the benefits and the amount is reasonably estimable.

Special termination benefits arise when the Company offers, for a short period of time, to provide certain additional benefits to employees electing voluntary termination. A liability is recorded and the expense is recognized in the period the employees irrevocably accept the offer and the amount of the termination liability is reasonably estimable.

 

x.

Segment reporting:

The Company’s business includes three reporting segments based on three geographical areas:

 

  (a)

North America segment, which includes the United States and Canada.

 

  (b)

Europe segment, which includes the European Union and certain other European countries.

 

  (c)

International Markets segment, which includes all countries in which Teva operates other than those in the North America and Europe segments.

Each business segment manages the entire product portfolio in its region, including generics, specialty and over-the-counter (“OTC”) products.

In addition to these three segments, Teva has other sources of revenues, primarily the sale of APIs to third parties, certain contract manufacturing services and an out-licensing platform offering a portfolio of products to other pharmaceutical companies through its affiliate Medis.

 

y.

Earnings per share:

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing the net income attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares (including fully vested RSUs and PSUs) outstanding during the year, net of treasury shares.

In computing diluted earnings per share, basic earnings per share are adjusted to take into account the potential dilution that could occur upon: (i) the exercise of options and non-vested RSUs and PSUs granted under employee stock compensation plans and one series of convertible senior debentures, using the treasury stock method; (ii) the conversion of the remaining convertible senior debentures using the “if-converted” method, by adding to net income interest expense on the debentures and amortization of issuance costs, net of tax benefits, and by adding the weighted average number of shares issuable upon assumed conversion of the debentures; and (iii) until December 17, 2018, the conversion of the mandatory convertible preferred shares (“MCPS”) using the “if-converted” method by adding to net income attributable to ordinary shareholders the dividends on the preferred shares and by adding the weighted average number of shares issuable upon assumed conversion of the mandatory convertible preferred shares.

On December 17, 2018, the mandatory convertible preferred shares automatically converted into ordinary shares. As a result of this conversion, Teva issued 70.6 million ADSs. See note 14.

 

z.

Securitization

Teva accounts for transfers of certain of its trade receivable as sales when it has surrendered control over the related assets in accordance with ASC Topic 860 “Transfer and Servicing” of Financial Assets. Whether control has been relinquished requires, among other things, an evaluation of relevant legal considerations and an assessment of the nature and extent of the Company’s continuing involvement with the assets transferred. Assets obtained and liabilities incurred in connection with transfers reported as sales are initially recognized in the balance sheet at fair value. Refer to note 16d.

 

aa.

Divestitures:

The Company nets the proceeds on the divestitures of products with the carrying amount of the related assets and records gain or loss on sale within other income. Any contingent payments that are potentially due to the Company as a result of these divestitures are recorded when realizable. For divestures of businesses, including divestitures of products that qualify as a business, the Company reflects the relative fair value of goodwill associated with the businesses in the determination of gain or loss on sale.

 

bb.

Reclassifications:

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company changed its accounting policy for the presentation of royalty payments to third parties that are not involved in the production of products. Teva previously accounted for royalty payments to such third parties in S&M expenses. Royalties paid to a party that is involved in the production process are classified as cost of sales. The Company believes this change in accounting policy is preferable in order to be aligned with industry practice of classifying all royalty payments related to currently marketed products in cost of sales. The Company now reports all royalty payments as cost of sales. The Company has retrospectively adjusted prior periods to reflect this change and the impact was a $210 million and $206 million increase in cost of sales with an offsetting decrease in S&M for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The impact of the change in accounting policy for the year ended December 31, 2018 was an increase in cost of sales of $142 million with an offsetting decrease in S&M.

Certain other comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

cc.

Debt instruments

Debt instruments are initially recognized at the fair value of the consideration received. Debt issuance costs are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet as a reduction of liability. They are subsequently recognized at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Debt may be considered extinguished when it has been modified and the terms of the new debt instruments and old debt instruments are “substantially different” (as defined in the debt modification guidance in ASC 470-50 “Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments”). The Company classifies the current portion of long term debt as non-current liabilities on the balance sheet when it has the intent and ability to refinance the obligation on a long-term basis, in accordance with ASC 470-50 “Debt”.