GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is proud to work with a wide range of patient groups across a variety of different disease areas such as cancer, asthma, diabetes, HIV and mental health. We share a vision with patient organisations for a healthcare system that provides the best standard of care for preventing, treating and managing disease and ensures patients have timely access to the most effective treatments, services and information on disease.

Patient groups are not-for-profit organisations which provide people with support and information on how to live with their disease and campaign for change on issues that affect patients’ and carers’ lives. Some also carry out vital research into the causes and potential treatments for specific conditions.

GSK’s interest in patient advocacy is about understanding patient needs and their illnesses; raising awareness of a disease area; supporting the voice of the patient and fostering a constructive healthcare debate. This is achieved through working together on prevention or disease awareness programs or developing joint policies or guidelines.

We are committed to working with patient groups at the highest level of transparency and ethical standards. The key principles of our work with patient groups are trust and mutual respect. We are committed to sustaining long-term working relationships, which reinforce the credibility and independence of patient groups. To ensure common understandings and improved transparency, a written agreement outlining the agreed conditions and outcomes of our support is developed in consultation with the patient group.

GSK’s Guiding Principles for Working with Patient Groups

• The independence of patient groups shall be assured
• Transparency is vital
• Relationships must be based on trust and mutual respect
• We aim to develop sustained, mutually beneficial, long-term working relationships
• GSK will always comply with local laws and ethical standards
  

More about our guiding principles….

As part of a move to ensure greater transparency in all our external dealings with organisations and individuals, from 2008 GlaxoSmithKline will list all patient organisations to which we provide financial support on our external website. This includes details of that support to an individual project level.

In 2007, GSK provided a total of $882,000 to support a variety of activities with 19 patient groups across a variety of disease areas such as cancer, asthma, diabetes, HIV and mental health. The activities ranged from the funding of patient hotlines, development of treatment guidelines, to projects on prevention, education, and disease awareness.

Patient groups we supported in 2007

For more information contact GSK’s Community Affairs Manager
Sarah Tennant on (03) 9721 6147