Register now for a place at our free event on transparency on 4 May at the Guardian’s headquarters in London

How does the pharmaceutical industry work with healthcare professionals? Event

This year, for the first time, pharmaceutical companies are to publish details of payments made to UK healthcare professionals.

Pharmaceutical firms pay around £40m a year to healthcare professionals, including doctors and pharmacists. Payments are made for a number of reasons, including sponsorship of medical education, attendance at medical events or acting as advisers.

The pharmaceutical industry says the relationship it has with healthcare professionals “has long been a positive driver for advancements in patient care and the progression of research”.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The life sciences minister, George Freeman, will deliver a keynote address at the event. Photograph: Chris Radburn/PA Wire/Press Association Images

From June, patients will be able to use a publicly searchable database to find out if a healthcare professional has received any payments from a pharmaceutical company.

Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, plans to introduce a UK “sunshine rule” (named after the Physician Payment Sunshine Act in the US) on dealings between NHS staff and pharmaceutical firms.

Our evening seminar will discuss the increasing openness about the relationships between the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals.

This free event, at the Guardian’s London headquarters, will start with a keynote address by the life sciences minister, George Freeman. This will be followed by a panel debate.

This seminar will be chaired by Sarah Boseley, the Guardian’s health editor, and confirmed panellists include Nikki Yates, senior vice president UK and Ireland pharmaceuticals and UK general manager for GSK; Virginia Acha, executive director, research, medical and innovation at the ABPI; Eric Low, chief executive of Myeloma UK; Ash Soni, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society; GP Margaret McCartney; and Dr Graham Jackson, co-chair of the NHS Clinical Commissioners and clinical chair of Aylesbury Vale.

The main issues to be discussed include:

How and why does the pharmaceutical industry work with healthcare professionals?

What are the pros and cons of disclosing payments to healthcare professionals?

Do the new measures go far enough?

What role do healthcare professionals have in improving understanding and openness?

What does all of this mean for patients?

The programme for the evening:

17.30-18.00: Registration and drinks reception

18.00-18.10: Chair’s opening remarks

18.10-19.10: Panel discussion

19.10-19.25: Audience Q&A

19.25-19.45: Keynote address: George Freeman, minister for life sciences

19.45-20.30: Drinks and canapés reception

This free to attend event is open to healthcare professionals, policy makers and patient representatives. To apply for a place, please complete the registration form below.

