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Friday, July 22nd, 2005
Ways in which the pharmaceutical industry can work in co-operation
with the NHS are spelt out in a revised framework document agreed
with the three principal organisations that represent NHS members
and organisations and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical
Industry (ABPI).
The new document also lists more than a dozen case histories that
exemplify constructive ways in which the pharmaceutical industry
and the NHS have co-operated on projects to the benefit of patients
throughout the country.
The groups joining the ABPI in supporting the new, revised framework
are the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC), the NHS Alliance
and the NHS Confederation.
"The production of this publication comes at a time when relationships
between the industry and the NHS have been under close scrutiny.
Not only does the framework provide safeguards and reassurance that
such relationships are conducted to the highest possible ethical
standards, but it also spells out the clear advantages that such
ventures can bring," said Dr Richard Barker, Director General
of the ABPI.
"There are many ways in which the industry can work in cooperation
with healthcare providers to bring additional benefits for patients,
and we hope that this document will stimulate further ideas."
Graham Kendall, Head of Commercial Relations for the NHS Confederation,
which brings together the full range of organisations that make
up the modern NHS across the UK, said: "The modern NHS is changing
rapidly - with increased diversity in providers, we need to focus
on how services work together.
"Partnership is key to making the system work for patients.
The NHS Confederation is pleased to support this framework, which
outlines innovative examples of how organisations are working together
to deliver improved patient care.
Eric McCullough, chief executive of NAPC, which represents practices,
primary healthcare professionals, organisations, including PCTs
and other bodies working in and with all healthcare providers outside
of hospitals, said: "Working in Partnership makes sense for
the patient; for the NHS and for the industry. The benefits can
be huge and can result in truly modernised ways of delivering locally
sensitive care, which holistically meets the needs of the individual.
"Partnership working provides an opportunity to do today what,
alone, might not be possible tomorrow. Plurality of provision is
now a major government policy and reflects in part the leadership
given by the pharmaceutical industry of Great Britain."
Michael Sobanja, chief executive of the NHS Alliance, which represents
most PCTs including individual GPs, nurses and managers, said: "Good
patient care demands that the right medicines are available to the
right patients at the right time. When the industry and the NHS
work together in a transparent and ethical manner, then patients
can only benefit. This publication demonstrates how that can be
done to excellent effect."
The examples of cooperative working given in NHS and Pharmaceutical
Industry Working together for Patients range from implementing national
policies or guidelines, such as those on schizophrenia and mental
health, to providing a support strategy for flu campaigns.
The guide stresses that all joint activities should be for the benefit
of both individual patients and for wider populations and that any
agreements between the industry and NHS partners should be conducted
in an open and transparent way.
Other key provisions include:
The interests of individual patients must be protected.
Clinical aspects of care should be under NHS control, although industry
input is legitimate and offers benefits to patients and NHS organisations.
Joint working should not be seen as an endorsement or promotion
of a specific medicine or technology.
Clinicians have a duty to provide whatever treatment they consider
to be clinically appropriate.
Pharmaceutical companies must comply with the ABPI Code of Practice
at all times and NHS must comply with NHS - and relevant professional
organisation - codes of conduct.
The ABPI Code of Practice is currently undergoing a major revision
to ensure that it meets fully all aspects of the pharmaceutical
industry's relationship with the modern NHS, healthcare professionals,
patients and the general public. The new code will be published
by the end of the year, following a major consultation exercise.
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A copy of NHS and Pharmaceutical Industry Working together
for Patients can be obtained free from the ABPI, 12 Whitehall,
London, SW1A 2DY; phone 020 7747 1446; or email publications@abpi.org.uk.
For further information, please contact:
Richard Ley (office) 020 7747 1410 mobile 07715 169727
Ben Hayes (office) 020 7747 1406 mobile 07715 169726
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