Two key projects recognising effective collaboration between the Cancer Vanguard and the pharmaceutical industry have been shortlisted for the HSJ Healthcare Partnership Awards 2018. The projects, both part of the Vanguard’s Pharma Challenge, were shortlisted in the Best Pharmaceutical Partnership with the NHS category.
Launched in 2017, these awards recognise and celebrate the best partnerships with the NHS. HSJ designed the awards to shine a spotlight on the projects that work for the benefit of the NHS and its patients.
Amgen has been shortlisted for its project to optimise the design of out of hospital services for XGEVA ® (denosumab). Denosumab is a targeted therapy for the treatment of secondary breast cancer in the bone and the project has mapped out and measured the most efficient out-of-hospital administration of the medication. Consultation with patients and clinicians has contributed to the creation of a simulation modelling tool that allows different delivery scenarios, whether at hospital, in primary care, in the community, or at home, to be tested for financial and patient experience impact.
The Sandoz UK biosimilars resource, Getting it right the first time, includes an interactive PDF with training and educational material, patient information, and frequently asked questions on biosimilars for clinicians. Also available to download, the PDF was developed to provide healthcare professionals with information to help with adoption of biosimilars in their organisation. Within the PDF is a suggested timeline, setting out the processes that pharmacy might follow. The timeline allows users to click through to various tools and templates, created by the Cancer Vanguard team.
The judges were looking for innovative projects which demonstrate outstanding commitment to working in collaboration with the NHS, cutting-edge innovation and service provision. Additionally, the projects needed to be a beacon of best practice, offer ongoing benefits, add value and not replicate something the NHS could do for itself. The judges were impressed with the high standard of entries, testifying to the clear achievement of any shortlisted organisation.
The winners of the Partnership Awards will be announced on Thursday 8 March at the Royal College of Physicians in London.
More information about Pharma Challenge and the resources created is available here.