GDPR has lead to a drop in the number of healthcare workers revealing payments or benefits from the pharma sector according to the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
In 2017, according to data from Disclosure UK shows, an estimated 49.1 percent of healthcare workers who received payments or benefits in kind have data published against their name, showing a drop of 16 percentage points from 2016, when the figure recorded was 64.9 percent.
The ABPI revealed that the fall can be attributed to the introduction of the European Union legislation GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) on May this year, as companies “are likely” to have taken action that could have potentially impacted consent rates, both at company and industry level.
ABPI chief executive Mike Thompson commented “GDPR applies to all industries and organsiations across Europe and inevitably brings challenges for all as processes and procedures are checked. I am confident that this drop in consent rate for 2017 data reflects the balance that companies have had to strike between meeting transparency requirements and respecting the rights of individuals as they implement this new legislation”.
He added: “We expect this figure to rise for 2018 data and, alongside NHS England, remain committed to achieving 100 percent. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists have demonstrated their commitment to greater transparency over the past two years and I would urge them to continue to do so as we strive for 100 percent disclosure.”
The data also indicated that total transfers of value issued to UK healthcare workers and groups last year hit £499.3 million, up from £454.5 million in 2016, and that the vast majority of this – £370.9 million – was invested in partnerships relating to research and development activities.
Thompson said “£370 million spent on partnerships with leading healthcare experts and organisations on scientific discovery of life-enhancing medicines cements our place as a scientific hub which must be retained alongside continued cooperation on the regulation, trade and supply of medicines, after Brexit”.