Consultation Outcome: The disclosure of industry payments to the healthcare sector (Department of Health and Social Care, 18 December 2025)

Summary

From the 4 September to 16 October 2023 the Department of Health and Social Care held a public consultation seeking views on the possible introduction of regulations mandating the disclosure of industry payments to the healthcare sector. This report sets our the UK Government's formal response to the findings of this consultation.

Content

The Government response is stated as follows:

The government wishes to express its gratitude to all of those who contributed to this consultation, and their patience while the analysis and response was finalised.

It is clear from the majority of responses that there is a need for better transparency regarding payments made between industry and:

• registered healthcare professionals
• healthcare provider organisations
• organisations connected to the provision of healthcare

The government fully supports this sentiment, recognising the importance in enabling patients to make informed decisions about their own care and improving the transparency of industry payments.

In response to this consultation, the government will develop and publish clear guidance in relation to disclosing payments made by the medicines and medical devices industries to the healthcare sector. This guidance will set out best practice for industry to follow, which will advise on:

• which payments should be reported
• the format of the reporting
• the frequency of the reporting

The government will monitor the uptake of this forthcoming guidance.

While the government acknowledges that a number of stakeholders favoured a legislative approach to payment disclosures, this guidance-based approach will allow patients to benefit from industry reporting more quickly, without further delays that could have followed the introduction of legislation and the establishment of a government reporting and compliance system. This positive step towards transparency will add clarity to the relationship between industry and healthcare professionals, assisting patients in making informed decisions about their care.

Over the coming months, officials will work with stakeholders to develop a robust set of guidelines, with careful consideration given to the range of valuable suggestions provided by respondents to the consultation. This will ensure that the guidance is comprehensive and captures all relevant payments to healthcare-related professionals.

To date, no formal government guidance has been available for industry to follow and against which patients can hold the sector to account. This step will provide certainty for industry and stakeholders, as well as a clear path to improve transparency and improve public safety.

This decision is also aligned with the government’s commitment to reduce regulatory burden on industry. It will provide industry with the space to show leadership and a commitment to transparency, while minimising regulatory requirements that could be especially detrimental to small and micro businesses.