IMS Health partners with pharmaphorum on cancer educational programme
With the approach of the General Election, healthcare strategies, budgets, the NHS and the future of the Cancer Drugs Fund are all in the headlines and pharmaphorum has its finger on the pulse with its new educational initiative in cancer, Healthcare Partners, bringing the key players together to develop and promote innovation in the field.
The programme launches in January 2015 and pharmaphorum is delighted to announce IMS Health as insight partner, with its vast data and technology resources in healthcare information on diseases, treatments, costs and outcomes to assist decision making and fuel advances in healthcare.
Speaking about the alliance, Tim Sheppard, general manager, IMS Health UK & Ireland, commented: "IMS Health is proud to be able to collaborate with pharmaphorum as insight partner on this exciting new initiative. The intensifying focus on oncology in the UK reflects its increasing impact on patients and expanding share of healthcare expenditure. Relative to other parts of the healthcare system, oncology brings high levels of uncertainty — in terms of the nature and rate of innovative treatments, and also the willingness by payers to reimburse care at current levels.
"We believe Healthcare Partners will provide the opportunity for key healthcare stakeholders to share, on a regular basis, exciting and innovative approaches that are being implemented around the UK, and therefore drive advancements in the treatment of cancer. We look forward to working with patient groups and NHS organisations to share key data and unique insights that will help improve patient outcomes."
Healthcare Partners will identify and share examples of innovation and good practice in cancer through a number of channels, including webinars, roundtable debates, newsletters, educational meetings, whitepapers and newsletters.
There will be a minimum of three educational activities per month, providing opportunities for collaboration and long-term working for those stakeholders involved in the programme.
Healthcare Partners will also, on a continuous basis, bring together NHS decision makers, patient groups and pharma and service companies to tackle some of the really tough challenges in cancer, such as how to access new, high-priced medicines and how to improve diagnosis with the ultimate aim of contributing to improving patient outcomes.
The first advisory board meeting is being held mid-January and organisations that have confirmed attendance, in addition to IMS Health, include the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer; Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network; Cancer Research UK; British Lung Foundation and Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. Representatives from NHS England, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and the Royal College of Nursing will also be present to discuss and agree the core themes and key objectives for Year 1 of Healthcare Partners, and projects for dissemination throughout the NHS.
For further information on Healthcare Partners and how to get involved, contact Louise Bellamy. Tel: +44(0)1932 359203, e-mail: louise@pharmaphorum.com Twitter @hc_partners. Meet the team at their stand at the Britain Against Cancer Conference on 9 December in London and discuss the great work you're doing in cancer.
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