Cancerbackup

According to its website Cancerbacup is 'the UK's leading cancer information charity' providing cancer information, advice and support for cancer patients.^[1] In the guidelines on working with pharmaceutical companies Cancerbacup claims to rely on its 'reputation for independence, impartiality and a commitment to the highest standards'^[2]

Cancerbackup has been reported not openly declaring the sponsorship (£ 371,410 - 9 per cent of its total funding) from the pharmaceutical industry each year, for example Roche, the manufacturers of the breast cancer drug Herceptin.^[3] At that time the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) came under pressure from Cancerbackup, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Care to extend the provision of Hercepin under NHS.^[4]

History

Established in 1985 as BACUP (British Association of Cancer United Patients) by Dr Vicky Clement-Jones (a cancer patient herself), it was first funded by the Special Trustees of St Bartholomew's Hospital. Tim Clement-Jones, Dr Clement-Jones' husband, became a trustee in 1986. In May 1989, BACUP's telephone information service became a freephone helpline. Princess Alexandra became the charity's Royal Patron. In 1993 BACUP becomes a company limited by guarantee.Later on the name was changed to Cancerbackup. ^[5]

Affiliations

Long-term Medical Conditions Alliance

National Asthma Campaign

National Eczema Society

National Osteoporosis Society

ABPI

Prescription Medicines Code Authority

People

Board of directors (trustees)

Dr. Maurice Slevin (Chairman)

David Amos (Chair Finance & General Purposes; Chair Audit committee)

Lord Tim Bell

Peter Caplan

Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE

Sir Ronald De Witt

David Donne

Professor Lesley Fallowfield

Professor Parveen Kumar CBE

David McDonough OBE

Professor Amanda Ramirez

Alastair Ross Goobey CBE

Sir Peter Stothard

Management

Joanne Rule Chief Executive

Derryn Borley Head of Cancer Support Service

Phil Hodgett Head of Finance and Administration

Emma Whelan Head of Information and Marketing

Kate Shanley Head of Fundraising

Pharma sponsorship

According to the annual report for 2005/06 the income from the following pharmaceutical companies that Cancerbackup received amounts to 8.87% of their total income (this is according to the unaudited accounts)^[6]

3m Pharmaceuticals

Amgen Limited

Astrazeneca Plc

Baxter Healthcare Ltd

Bayer Plc

Bristol Myers Squibb

Cambridge Laboratories

Chiron UK Ltd

Eli Lilly & Company Ltd

Glaxo Smithkline

Ipsen Ltd

Merck Pharmaceuticals