Funding
Funding
Our position on working with the pharmaceutical industry
This policy sets out five clear principles which govern how we work with pharmaceutical companies to protect the Blood Cancer Alliance’s independence and purpose.
It ensures our work with pharmaceutical companies does not affect our independence or our ability to achieve policy change on behalf of people with blood cancer.
The Blood Cancer Alliance recognises that working with pharmaceutical companies gives us valuable insight and expertise. Such companies are also willing to sponsor and fund certain activities undertaken by the Alliance, without which the Alliance would be less able to pursue its objectives.
However, pharmaceutical companies are not charitable organisations and as such the Alliance takes particular care in how it works with them.
The Alliance will adhere to the following principles when entering into partnerships with pharmaceutical companies:
Integrity. All partnerships will bring benefit to people affected by blood cancer through funding and/or through supporting the Alliance to achieve its objectives. All partnerships between pharmaceutical companies and the Alliance will require consideration and approval by the membership in accordance with its Terms of Reference.
Independence. Any partnership entered into will not compromise the independence of the Alliance. When collaborating with partners with a commercial interest in blood cancer, we will aim to involve a minimum of two partners to preserve independence and impartiality. Where only one partner is involved, the Board will review and approve the arrangement to ensure continued independence and impartiality. We will maintain our editorial independence, remaining free to comment on pharmaceutical companies and their products, both positively and negatively.
Collaboration. The Alliance will work with and engage with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry to share knowledge and expertise which may be leveraged for the benefit of people with blood cancer. This may involve the participation in pharmaceutical industry organised events such as private or public meetings where appropriate and in line with these principles.
Patient-focused. The Alliance may, as part of its remit, initiate or support a campaign for equitable access to a particular treatment. This will, without exception, always be driven by a consideration of patient need. The Alliance will not accept any funding from a pharmaceutical company in exchange for such activity, nor will it accept funding when promotion of a specific drug is required or expected by the company, either explicitly or implicitly.
Transparency. Any funding or joint activity must be compliant with the conditions of the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry. Where a company is not a member of the ABPI we will require written assurances that any partnership work or support will be conducted to the ABPI Code of Practice. We will declare all financial partnerships with pharmaceutical companies through our website, including the total amount received from these companies. Compliance with ABPI guidance remains the responsibility of the funder, and the Alliance works to ensure that all collaborations reflect these standards.
Industry Partnerships
Whilst we receive funding from the pharmaceutical industry for the work we carry out, we are wholly independent of these commercial organisations, and that includes our decision making. All funds received from our Industry Partners support the BCA’s core expenditure and activity. Any other funding received for specific projects and materials only will be declared on that project and on associated materials from the outset (for example, reports or campaign materials).
We have included below a list of our current financial partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and levels of support provided. Our full Annual Report and Accounts can be found on the Charity Commission website: BLOOD CANCER ALLIANCE - 1202693
Novartis- £15,000 [April 2023- April 2024]
BMS - £15,000 [August 2025 - August 2026]
Johnson and Johnson - £30,000 [December 2024 - December 2026]
Abbvie - £15,000 [January 2025 - January 2026]
Takeda -£15,000 [December 2024 - December 2025]
MSD - £15,000 [April 2025 - April 2026]
Roche - £15,000 [January 2025 - January 2026]
Gilead £15,000 [July 2025 - July 2026]
Sanofi £15,000 [November 2024 - November 2025]
For clarity: “pharmaceutical companies” refers to organisations involved in the research, manufacture or supply of medicines for blood cancer. “Funding” refers to grants, donations or sponsorships that support our core work or specific funding for projects or materials.
Blood Cancer Alliance Industry Forum
The Blood Cancer Alliance operates an Industry Forum. The forum is a six-monthly meeting of Blood Cancer Alliance members to which our industry partners are invited to discuss the work and future plans of the Alliance and the current policy environment.
Please see the minutes from our forum meetings on the Latest page.
Guidance and sources
This statement is guided by best practice for patient organisations engaging with the pharmaceutical industry, including principles of independence, transparency and disclosure. The Alliance has drawn on the following guidance: