Cross-sector collaborations between healthcare providers working in the public or independent sectors and pharmaceutical industry have a strong record of delivering benefits for patients, the NHS and industry – so a ‘triple win’. Whether through unlocking new funding streams or accessing specialist expertise, collaboration has taken place for many years.
Partnership arrangements between the NHS – whether secondary or primary care – and the life sciences industry operate within well-defined regulatory frameworks and industry codes of practice, such as the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and the ABPI Code for the pharmaceutical industry, which establish clear parameters for collaboration while supporting transparency and building public trust.
Industry collaborations as a solution
The NHS is undergoing a period of organisational change, with new commissioning and provider structures likely to emerge over the next few years. It is also under intense operational pressure and struggling to optimise healthcare delivery and implement innovation.
Working in partnership with pharma, biotech and medtech companies offers a solution to facilitate innovation across a range of projects from pathway transformation to knowledge sharing. Partnership projects from the life sciences industry that bring additional capacity or expertise to help manage immediate challenges, such as recovering backlogs, reducing avoidable hospital admissions, and easing pressure points in acute care, are likely to be welcomed.
The growth agenda
The Government increasingly views the NHS as a driver of economic growth, particularly through strengthening the life sciences sector. To date, it has focused on the role of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in increasing market access for innovative technologies. However, the NHS 10-year plan and the Life sciences sector plan both highlight the importance of local NHS organisations working in partnership with the life sciences industry to accelerate innovation. There is an emphasis on increasing the number of clinical trials undertaken in the NHS, allowing companies to get new products to market quicker and giving NHS patients faster access to game changing medicines. At the same time, the importance of medical technology in improving patient outcomes is also highlighted, with a clear commitment to accelerating its adoption in the NHS to enable us to “lead from the front” in terms of technological advancements in medtech, digital health, AI and diagnostics.
How Mills & Reeve can help
Having the right experts to support you is key – whether you are a life sciences business, an NHS provider or an independent healthcare provider.
At Mills & Reeve health and care is one of our largest sectors. We have over four decades of experience, and we thrive on supporting our clients and their contribution to the sector.
With 200+ lawyers working in the sector, we have the size and sophistication to deliver business-critical projects. Our clients include NHS organisations, regulators, government departments and private healthcare providers.
Our nationally renowned life sciences team are involved in all aspects of the sector from early-stage R&D to commercialisation stages in the product lifecycle. Our practice is ‘full service’, including providing regulatory support and advice on clinical trials and investigations, and pre-clinical research activity. With experience both in the private and public sectors, we see ‘both sides of the fence’.
We have advised across all compliance aspects in connection with arrangements between healthcare service providers and life science industry partners.
This depth and blend of experience of life sciences, commercial, IP, regulatory and health and care law means we have a unique insight into how providers in the health and care sector can navigate collaborations with life sciences companies.
If you are exploring a partnership arrangement or you’re unsure where to start, Charlotte Lewis and Stephanie Caird can help you scope, structure and deliver your joint projects.
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