Patient groups assessing NHS drugs receive undeclared industry funds

Patient groups assessing NHS drugs receive undeclared industry funds Study calls for rules to be tightened over disclosure of money received from drug makers

Most patient groups involved in the appraisal of drugs or medical devices for use in the NHS have received money from the manufacturers that they have not declared, research has found.

Patient groups are asked to give their views when the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) is deciding whether to approve a drug for use in the NHS in England. However, the researchers said Nice did not have stringent enough rules on the disclosure of any and all funds that patient organisations receive from companies. The Guardian

See also:

• Financial interests of patient organisations contributing to technology assessment at England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: policy review The BMJ
• Study reveals financial interests of patient organizations assessing NHS treatments Medical Xpress