A Cross-sectional Analysis Of Pharmaceutical Industry Funding Of Australian Patient Groups Before And During The Covid-19 Pandemic

• By: MOHAMMAD, Annim (University of Sydney, Australia)
• Co-author(s): Dr Annim Mohammad (University Of Sydney, The University of Sydney, Australia)
  Dr Alice Fabbri (Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom)
  Ms Swestika Swandari (Makassar Health Training Centre, Ministry of Health, Makassar, Indonesia)
  Prof Barbara Mintzes (University Of Sydney, The University of Sydney, Australia)
  
• Abstract:

  Background information
  Pharmaceutical industry funding of patient groups (also known as ‘health consumer organisations’) has become increasingly common. Concerns about potential conflicts of interest arising from the relationships between patient groups and the pharmaceutical industry have been in the spotlight. Patient groups are non-profit entities focused on representing the interests of health consumers such as patients and their caregivers. Pharmaceutical companies fund patient groups representing conditions for which they market treatments. Although both have an interest in development of effective new treatments, companies’ need for profitability can conflict with patient interests, for example over pricing, effectiveness, and safety concerns. These competing interests may impede patient groups’ independence.
  Purpose
  This study describes the pattern of pharmaceutical industry funding of Australian patient groups before and during the Covid-19 pandemic (years 2017 to 2021). We also compare these payments to an earlier analysis of payments in 2013 to 2016 (1)
  Method
  A descriptive analysis was performed on 133 transparency reports, downloaded from the website of Medicines Australia, the pharmaceutical industry trade group representing research-based companies, covering the period January 2017 to December 2021 (reports for the year 2022 are not yet available). In these transparency reports, member companies of Medicines Australia report all payments to patient groups, specifying amount paid, types of funded activities, and timing.
  Results
  In the years 2017 to 2019, 30 pharmaceutical companies provided 963 sponsorships to 186 patient groups, spending a total of AU$ 22, 927, 828. In the years 2020 and 2021, 27 pharmaceutical companies provided 580 sponsorships to 163 patient groups, spending a total of AU$14, 668, 689. During the pandemic years (2020-21), total funding provided to patient groups increased compared to in the year 2019, with a shift in the types of funding provided. The clinical areas of the three patient groups that received the most funding in the years 2020- 2021 were cancer, musculoskeletal and eye health. In the years prior, the clinical areas of the three patient groups that received the most funding were cancer and musculoskeletal.
  Conclusion
  This analysis provides useful insights into the interactions between the pharmaceutical industry and Australian patient groups before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The extent and patterns of pharmaceutical industry engagement with patient groups changed in terms of an increase in total financial support provided during the pandemic years and there was a shift in the clinical areas of patient groups receiving the most funding to including eye health, in addition to musculoskeletal and cancer.