CancerBACUP policy and guidelines on working with pharmaceutical companies

1. Introduction

As the UK’s leading provider of information and support to people affected by all types of cancer, CancerBACUP relies on its reputation for independence, impartiality and a commitment to the highest standards. The charity recognises that accepting funding from pharmaceutical companies is something that needs to be approached with caution.

The purpose of this document is to provide clear guidance on how CancerBACUP should work with the pharmaceutical industry in the best interests of the charity and people affected by cancer.  It sets out the principles on which decisions about funding opportunities should be based, although CancerBACUP will look at each relationship individually.

2. Context

CancerBACUP has worked with a wide range of pharmaceutical companies with an interest in cancer, while always maintaining its independence.  We believe it is important to maintain cooperative relationships with companies that manufacture and market cancer drugs and other treatments, in order to foster communication between the patients CancerBACUP represents and the companies whose decisions will affect their treatment. We maintain relationships with a wide range of companies and are not reliant on a single one.

2.1. It is imperative that the high quality information provided by CancerBACUP to people with cancer is not influenced in any way by acceptance of pharmaceutical sponsorship.  The charity will withdraw from any initiative that risks jeopardising this independent stance. 

2.2. CancerBACUP will not embark on, or continue with, any sponsorship arrangement or collaborative venture which might damage its reputation.
 
3. Principles for partnership

The guidelines that follow are based on the following core principles:

• Integrity and openness
• Maintenance of independence
• Equality in partnership
• Mutual benefit for all parties.

4. Relationships between CancerBACUP and the pharmaceutical industry

4.1. Relationships between CancerBACUP and individual pharmaceutical companies can and should be based on equal partnership. 

4.2. Each party should recognise that successful partnerships are those where both partners benefit, and each should seek to understand the internal culture of, and external pressures on, the other.

4.3. CancerBACUP will not enter into a relationship designed to give one company obvious competitive advantage over another, and where possible we favour the use of funding consortia based on two or more companies working together.  However, the charity will enter into strategic partnerships with individual companies if these match our corporate objectives.

4.4. We recognise that patient groups and pharmaceutical companies inevitably have some shared interests. While we are not interested in profits, we are strongly committed to ensuring that people with cancer have access to the most effective, up-to-date treatments available. We would be doing the patients we seek to serve a disservice if we failed to make the case for equitable access to treatments that have been recommended as clinically and cost-effective.

4.5. CancerBACUP accepts financial support from pharmaceutical companies and groups of companies on the following conditions:

• There are strong grounds for believing it will result in benefit to CancerBACUP users and supporters and people affected by cancer.
• The Chief Executive is satisfied that no adverse publicity will accrue from accepting such support.
• There is no attempt on the part of the company or companies to influence CancerBACUP policy or actions either explicitly or implicitly.

5. Guidelines for working together

5.1. CancerBACUP will retain full editorial control over all publications and printed materials sponsored by a pharmaceutical company or companies and will maintain copyright.

5.2. CancerBACUP must be consulted wherever and whenever its name is used, for both internal and external communications.  Approval must be sought for any copy produced which refers to a CancerBACUP initiative supported by a pharmaceutical company.

5.3. CancerBACUP’s logo must not be used by companies without written approval.

5.4. Press releases must not be issued which refer to CancerBACUP without the charity’s prior approval.  Suggested quotes may be drafted but must not be used without agreement from either CancerBACUP’s Chief Executive or a designated CancerBACUP manager.

5.5. When working on a joint initiative it is helpful if a single point of contact is identified within the company concerned to liaise with a named contact at CancerBACUP. 

5.6. CancerBACUP is happy to work with PR, advertising and marketing agencies employed by pharmaceutical companies once a joint project is underway.  However, during the planning stage of such a project, CancerBACUP requires a representative from the company to be present as well as the agency. 

5.7. Written agreements will be produced for each joint initiative between CancerBACUP and a pharmaceutical company, and formal contracts will be produced where required by law.

5.8. A company’s support will be acknowledged appropriately following discussions with the company concerned.

5.9. CancerBACUP will keep companies regularly informed of the progress of the initiative they are supporting.

6. Product endorsement

6.1. CancerBACUP supports the availability of the widest possible range of effective treatments, whether drugs or otherwise.

6.2. CancerBACUP does not endorse individual treatments, of whatever kind, because we believe that people living with cancer need the widest possible range of treatment options and the freedom to integrate them as they wish.  The charity will not put itself in a position where it might be perceived to be endorsing or promoting a particular product.

6.3. However, if there is widespread consensus that a particular type of treatment might be beneficial for cancer patients – if, for example, it has been recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) – then the charity has no hesitation in calling on NHS funders to make resources available to implement NICE guidance.

6.4. CancerBACUP seeks to encourage active partnership between patients and health professionals and the discussion of all available options, in the interests of informed choice on the part of the patient.

Acknowledgement

CancerBACUP acknowledges the assistance of the following organisations in developing this policy:

• Long-term Medical Conditions Alliance
• National Asthma Campaign
• National Eczema Society
• National Osteoporosis Society