• drug-related side effects and adverse reactions
• health care quality
• access
• and evaluation

In July 2020, the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review (IMMDSR) team published the findings of its investigation into the avoidable harm caused by hormone pregnancy tests, sodium valproate and pelvic mesh implants.1 Baroness Cumberlege, who chaired the review, concluded, ‘the healthcare system—in which I include the NHS, private providers, the regulators and professional bodies, pharmaceutical and device manufacturers, and policymakers—is disjointed, siloed, unresponsive and defensive. It does not adequately recognise that patients are its raison d’etre’. One of the report’s nine recommendations focused on financial links between companies that produce drugs and medical devices, and clinicians, hospitals and other organisations. The IMMDSR team were particularly concerned over the lack of transparency, and included a plea from a group representing patients that ‘we should be aware of clinicians’ allegiances or involvements whether they be financial or other’.1 …