Today, the Welsh NHS Confederation and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) have renewed their partnership to support more effective collaboration between the NHS and the pharmaceutical industry.
Launched ahead of the flagship conference , WelshConfed25, the new joint guidance offers practical tools to help organisations develop, implement, and evaluate partnerships that improve patient outcomes.
Aimed at NHS organisations in Wales, pharmaceutical industry leaders and those leading on partnership and transformation agendas in their organisation or system, the guidance responds to feedback to address barriers such as culture, trust, and operational challenges. It provides step-by-step resources to support partnership planning, contracting, delivery, and measurement, with frameworks suitable for use at all levels.
The aim is to drive improvements to the health and well-being of patients by:
- Aligning partnership projects with strategic objectives
- Strengthening assurance and fostering a culture of effective partnership working
- Scaling successful initiatives across care settings
Darren Hughes, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said:
“Cross-sector collaboration has already proven to deliver higher quality care, lower hospital admissions and ensure more appropriate use of medicines.”
“However, there is untapped potential to scale these efforts and drive transformation, with Wales’ integrated health and care system uniquely positioned to achieve this step change. NHS leaders want to help more people in Wales to benefit from effective partnership working and our joint guidance will support teams to confidently collaborate to achieve better health outcomes for patients.”
Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the ABPI said:
“Partnerships between the NHS and the pharmaceutical industry are essential—not only for delivering faster access to life changing treatments, but also for unlocking expertise, capacity, and innovation. There is clear evidence, and countless examples which demonstrate the real value collaborative projects bring to patients, staff and the NHS.
“Our latest guidance will help the NHS and industry in Wales establish transparent, well-governed partnerships with shared objectives and robust safeguards, creating projects truly focused on improving patient outcomes and public health.”
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