UK pharma backs new guidelines on working with healthcare organisations

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has published new guidelines on collaborations between health professionals and the pharmaceutical industry.

Compiled by the Ethical Standards in Health and Life Sciences Groups (ESHLSG) – a group comprising of leading figures from professional, representative and regulatory bodies within the health professional community – the guidance focuses on promoting a positive relationship between health organisations and pharma.

ABPI chief executive Stephen Whitehead believes the publication comes at a time when, “collaborative working becomes an increasingly important way for the NHS to address key health challenges in a constrained budgetary environment”.

“The NHS and pharmaceutical industry share a common agenda to improve patient care and clinical outcomes through high quality and cost effective treatment and care management. With this shared interest, pulling expertise and resources allows us to together tackle disease more effectively,” he added.

The publication describes the current working environment in which pharma and healthcare professionals operate and includes a top 10 facts about the industry and a list of dos and don'ts when it comes to collaboration efforts.

The guidelines have the backing of 18 other healthcare organisations, including the Department of Health, the Scottish and Welsh Governments, along with various Royal Colleges.

Sir Richard Thompson, president of the Royal College of Physicians and co-chair of the ESHLSG, said: “I welcome the setting up of the Ethical Standards in Health and Life Sciences Group as a positive step forward in promoting collaboration between healthcare and the pharmaceutical and devices industry”.

“There are many real benefits to be gained by working together in an open and transparent manner and this new set of guidelines are an excellent start. I urge all health professionals to embrace them,” Thompson added.

• Guidance on collaboration between healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry