AstraZeneca forms partnership with NHS Alliance

The NHS Alliance has announced the formation of a new partnership with global pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca. This collaboration will see the company aim to support the alliance in the development of its Practice Based Commissioning (PBC) Federation.

As a result of this partnership, the alliance is planning to provide a “flying squad” team to offer practical help for commissioners in specific areas where it is needed.

Furthermore, a report is due to be published later this year that assesses the vital factors for the attainment of genuine reform through PBC, with the publication of this paper followed by the release of a DVD highlighting best practice in PBC.

Around the start of 2008, the information in these works will be consolidated and expanded into a new edition of Nuts and Bolts of Practice Based Commissioning.

Dr David Jenner, PBC lead at NHS Alliance, said: “It is by working in partnership that we can achieve so much.

“We are very grateful for AstraZeneca’s support and its faith in [PBC].”

Customer relationship development leader at the firm Lisa Nelson added that it was pleased to have a successful partnership working arrangement with the alliance and anticipated further collaboration into next year.

In April 2007, the Department of Health reported that all primary care trusts had attained universal coverage of PBC by December 2006, with practice uptake at 96 per cent.