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Cancer treatment

Cancer Charities Embroiled in Controversy Over Industry-Funded Trip to Europe

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Leading cancer charities in Britain have been accused of taking part in a trip to Europe, funded by a major drugs company, Sanofi Aventis. The trip, described as an "educational" and "parliamentary and stakeholder working group" meeting, is designed to showcase new cancer drugs and treatments. The charities' involvement has sparked concerns about the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on patient groups and the potential for biased information to be shared among policymakers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The trip, which took place from Friday to Sunday, was funded by Sanofi Aventis and included a visit to a hospital in Paris, where participants were shown the "gold standard" treatment received by French patients in contrast with that experienced by NHS patients.
  • The most senior cancer official within the Department of Health, and two MPs, attended the trip, with the costs of the department's representative being met by the government.
  • Dr. Ian Gibson, chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on cancer, declined the invitation, citing concerns about the trip being funded by a drugs company.
  • One charity boss defended the trip, saying it was of value and that paying for it out of the charity's research fund would be "very wrong."
  • The medical journal, the Lancet, has called for greater transparency from charities over where their sponsorship money comes from.
  • Sanofi Aventis's communications director claimed the trip was "purely educational" and designed to showcase best practice in cancer treatment.

Statistics:

  • The trip was funded by Sanofi Aventis, a major pharmaceutical company.
  • The charities involved in the trip included the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and other leading cancer charities in Britain.
  • The trip took place from Friday to Sunday, incorporating a visit to the European Association of Cancer Research conference in Budapest and a hospital visit in Paris.
  • The most senior cancer official within the Department of Health attended the trip, with costs being met by the government.
  • Two MPs also attended the trip, courtesy of a Westminster firm of political lobbyists.

Sources:

  • The Observer (draft itinerary leaked)
  • Dr. Ian Gibson, chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on cancer
  • Mike Unger, head of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
  • Cressida Ward, communications director for Sanofi Aventis
  • The Lancet

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