In February 2007, the Ministerial Industry Strategy Group published its Long-Term Leadership Strategy for medicines. To encourage joint working between the NHS and pharmaceutical industry it recommended that the Department would publish guidance to support this to:

• Encourage NHS organisations and staff to consider joint working as a realistic option for the delivery of high-quality healthcare
• Inform and advise NHS staff of their main responsibilities when entering into consider joint working arrangements with the pharmaceutical industry

Best Practice Guidance on joint working between the NHS and pharmaceutical industry