Medical device companies pay millions to NHS while pushing products, says study

Pharmaceutical equipment firms are funding NHS staff and training while promoting sales

Medical device companies are paying millions of pounds to hospitals in the UK to fund staff places, as well as training and awareness campaigns, while pushing sales of their products, including implants, heart valves and diagnostic equipment, a new report reveals.

An analysis of disclosures by medical device companies found that between 2017 and 2019 they reported 425m (367m at today's rates) in payments to healthcare organisations in Europe, according to the study in the journal Health Policy and Technology.