ABHI Statement on Conflicts of Interest
Topic : Position Papers Type : Briefing
The relationship between industry and healthcare professionals has long played an important role in advancing patient care. Healthcare professionals provide critical clinical insights and expertise that help inform product development, support innovation, and ensure technologies can be effectively translated into real-world care settings.
The provision of continuing medical education, attendance at scientific meetings, and advisory work are all examples of where payment to an individual or institution may be appropriate. It is imperative that robust mechanisms are in place to ensure transparency and scrutiny around such payments.
ABHI’s Code of Business Practice, which is mandatory for its members, supports high standards of ethical practice and behaviour during interactions with NHS professionals. The Code requires all transactions between a company and a healthcare professional to be documented internally and to the relevant NHS employer, ensuring payments are visible within Industry and the NHS, therefore being subject to appropriate managerial oversight within individual organisations.
In addition, NHS England’s Conflicts of Interest framework requires healthcare professionals to declare such transactions. Neither the ABHI Code of Business Practice nor NHS England’s Conflicts of Interest requirements provide an option to opt out, reinforcing a consistent approach to transparency and accountability.