A Common Understanding 2025

2.Introduction

Scotland is a world leading centre for research and innovation in health and social care. At the root of this is a ‘triple helix’, bringing together the NHS in Scotland, the research community centred in our universities and innovation centres and the pharmaceutical industry.

In 2012 the Scottish Government published an update to the original 2003 Common Understanding, a ground-breaking document that not only acknowledged the benefits of working together but also set out ground rules and processes to encourage it to happen.

In the decade or so since, scores of projects have been delivered through collaborative working, several of which are showcased in this document. The ABPI Code of Practice that governs the pharmaceutical industry has also been updated, new legislation has come into force on the protection of data and we have seen the advent of Disclosure UK, an industry-led initiative to deliver easily accessible information on payments received by healthcare professionals and healthcare organisations from the pharmaceutical industry.

The principle, however, remains unchanged: that, where it is appropriate, there is a legitimate and valuable role that the pharmaceutical industry can play working alongside the NHS and academia, sharing experience, resources and expertise to enhance patient care, support the NHS in Scotland in its work and positively contribute to the growth of the Scottish economy and life sciences industry.

Examples of some of the areas we have progressed together include:

• Strengthening renal research and clinical trials: A partnership between the NHS in Scotland, AstraZeneca UK Limited and the Universities of Dundee and Glasgow is accelerating research into treating chronic kidney disease. This collaboration is developing new treatments, improving clinical trial infrastructure and enhancing expertise in renal research with the key aim of improving patient outcomes.
• Advancing obesity research and innovation: A strategic collaboration is being established with Eli Lilly to bring cutting-edge research and innovation for obesity treatment to Scotland. This initiative will support new models of care and contribute to Scotland’s ambitions for improving population health through life sciences.
• The Health Innovation and Transformation Partnership: A partnership between NHS Golden Jubilee’s national Centre for Sustainable Delivery, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the University of Glasgow and AstraZeneca UK Limited to support a series of research studies into the impact of new processes and technologies on care pathways.

We hope that this update to the 2012 Common Understanding document provides ideas and inspiration for new projects and will continue to be a valuable toolkit to support the creation of a compliant framework within which to work together.

We would like to acknowledge the input of the ABPI in the development of this document.

Professor Alison Strath

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer

Scottish Government

Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak

Chief Scientist (Health)

Scottish Government

Alison Culpan

Director

ABPI Scotland