Work with healthcare professionals

GlaxoSmithKline has detailed policies and monitoring systems governing our relationship with healthcare professionals in the following areas:

General Funding of health-related non-profit organizations – GSK supports U.S.-based, non-profit organizations that have a general interest in progressing the prevention, treatment and management of disease. This includes financial support through contributions, memberships and sponsorships. Among the nonprofits GSK supports are patient groups who provide patients, their families and friends with support and information on how to live with disease.

Healthcare Professional Associations (HPAs) – GSK supports medical, disease-oriented or scientific policy organizations that have a significant percentage of members who are healthcare professionals (HCPs) that represent their interests by providing information and services, support for increased medical research, and/or access to healthcare but do not prescribe, purchase or recommend medicines. This excludes medical education companies, hospitals, business organizations, patient advocacy organizations, government agencies, and for-profit companies. Examples include: American Medical Association, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Corporate Charitable Grants – In the United States, GlaxoSmithKline makes charitable grants through its Community Partnership program. The principal areas of focus are health and human services, K-12 science education and dropout prevention, and the arts (only in Philadelphia, PA and the Research Triangle Park, N.C.). More information is available in the Our work with communities section.

Continuing Medical Education – GSK awards competitive grants to fund accredited, continuing medical education for healthcare professionals that is clearly designed to close gaps in patient care, and support the optimal performance of healthcare professionals. Eligible CME providers must be accredited and cannot include medical education and communications companies. More information on our competitive funding model for independent medical education of healthcare professionals is available at: www.partnersinknowledge.com.

All of the general funding listed above and CME grant payments are posted publicly and updated each quarter.

Speakers – GlaxoSmithKline contracts with some healthcare professionals because they provide valuable knowledge, insight and experience about our medicines and the diseases and conditions they are approved to treat. These programs led by healthcare professionals deliver important information, which can translate to improved patient care. Information regarding such US professionals and their payments are posted publicly.

Advisors – GSK also engages healthcare professionals to share their expertise with our company. Because these advisors possess unique insight and knowledge in their various fields, they can help us to better evaluate scientific issues or data and respond to the emerging needs of patients and other healthcare professionals. Information regarding such US advisors and their payments are posted publicly.

Research Investigators – GSK engages institutions and their affiliated healthcare professionals to conduct various types of research related to the development of new medicines, vaccines, and health related products. GSK is committed to disclose payments made to US healthcare institutions for such research with the first posting in
Q1 2011.

Marketing – We market our prescription medicines and vaccines to doctors, hospitals, governments, and – when appropriate – to patients. We are committed to promotional practices that are ethical, responsible, principled and patient-centered. Our interactions with healthcare professionals are intended to benefit patients and enhance the practice of medicine. Our policies meet or exceed the codes on relationships with healthcare professionals from the following industry organizations: