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Industry sponsorship
The Industry Branch of the Department of Health supports the UK pharmaceutical and medical devices industry, and provides a channel for communication between the Government and the industry.
Joint working between the NHS and the pharmaceutical industry
In February 2007, the Ministerial Industry Strategy Group published its Long-Term Leadership Strategy for medicines. To encourage joint working between the NHS and pharmaceutical industry it recommended that the Department would publish guidance and an interactive toolkit to support this.
Government Response to the Health Committee's Report on the Use of New Medical Technologies within the NHS
The House of Common's Health Committee published its report on the Use of New Medical Technologies within the NHS on 12 April 2005. This Command Paper sets out the Government's response to the recommendations and conclusions in the Committee's report.
Government Response to the Health Committee's Report on the Influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry
Government Response to the Health Committee's Report on the Influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry
Published: 01/09/2005
The House of Common's Health Committee published its report on the Influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry on 5 April 2005. This Command Paper, published 1 September 2005, sets out the Government's response to the recommendations in that report.
- Government Response to the Health Committee's Report on the Influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry
Health Select Committee report
Industry Sponsorship Branch roles and responsibilities
The main roles of the Branch are:
Healthcare industry
Overview
The UK healthcare industry produces a diverse array of equipment and devices for diagnosing, treating and supporting people here and abroad.
Health Industries Taskforce Report
The Department of Health on behalf of the Government, and in conjunction with the healthcare industries launched the Healthcare Industries Task Force (HITF) report on Wednesday 17 November 2004. This joint strategic initiative is the first of its kind between Government and this sector and was established a year ago. Co-chaired by the Health Minister Lord Warner, and Sir Christopher O'Donnell, Chief Executive of Smith & Nephew, the Task Force aim was to deliver a programme of action to benefit patients and the NHS and stimulate science and industry in the UK to improve growth in manufacturing, investment, employment and exports.
Certificates of Free Sale
Certificates of Free Sale (CFS) are issued free of charge by the Department of Health, if requested, as a service to UK based exporters of medical devices only. CFS are NOT export licences: they are in effect, 'letters of comfort', in support of other export documentation, requested by the authorities (customs etc.) of the importing country who are seeking assurances that the devices conform to the same quality and safety standards that apply in the United Kingdom and the rest of the European Union.
Pharmaceutical industry
Overview
The UK pharmaceutical industry, largely based in the South East, North West and North East of England, is the world's third largest exporter of medicines. Research-driven, it is one of the UK's most dynamic industries, of key importance to the economy.
Pharmaceutical Industry Competitiveness Task Force
Published: 28/03/2001
The Pharmaceutical Industry Competitiveness Task Force (PICTF) has provided a structured, action-oriented platform for effective dialogue between Government and the pharmaceutical industry. The report and associated publications can be found on the following webpages.
- Pharmaceutical Industry Competitiveness Task Force: final report - March 2001
- Pharmaceutical Industry Competitiveness and Performance Indicators (opens new window)
- Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) (opens new window)
- For further information, please email mpi-industry@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)
Ministerial Industry Strategy Group
The Ministerial Industry Strategy Group was set up following a conclusion in the March 2001 Report of the Pharmaceutical Industry Competitiveness Task Force (PICTF) that a high-level group be required to take the Government-Industry relationship forward at a strategic level.
Health Select Committee: The influence of the pharmaceutical industry
The Health Select Committee undertook an inquiry into the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on UK health policies, health outcomes and future health priorities and needs.
G10 Medicines
The G10 High Level Group on Innovation and Access, or G10 Medicines, was established in March 2001 to consider ways to strengthen the competitiveness of the European pharmaceutical industry. The group included top EU decision-makers, European commissioners, ministers, industry CEOs and patient representatives.
EU Regulation on paediatric medicines
The European Commission published a proposal for a Regulation on medicines for paediatric use on 29 September 2004. The proposed Regulation aims to establish a legislative framework that will fulfil the following main objectives: increased availability of medicines specifically adapted and licensed for use in the paediatric population; increased information available to the patient/carer and prescriber about the use of medicines in children, including clinical trial data; increase in high quality research into medicines for children.
Honours recommendations for the industry
Division seeks individuals with a proven track record in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry to be considered for the Queen's Birthday and New Year's honours lists.
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