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The BMA's Medical Fair and Ethical Trade Group has received support in the new UK Government Global Health Strategy

30 September 2008

The BMA's Medical Fair and Ethical Trade Group has received support in the new UK Government Global Health Strategy, 'Health is Global: a UK Government Strategy' which was launched this morning.

The Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson, highlighted the work of the BMA in his speech to launch the cross-Departmental Strategy which highlights issues for consideration across Government when developing domestic and foreign policy that may affect global health.

The Strategy states that the UK Government will "support the work of the British Medical Association-led Medical Fair and Ethical Trade Group, foster good practice in the NHS and private healthcare system, and work with industry and other countries to encourage fair and ethical trade". This an exciting opportunity for the BMA to continue its work to bring significant changes to the NHS and internationally.

Dr Terry John, Chair of the BMA International Committee said "“This is an extremely positive move. We welcome the government’s commitment to moving towards the ethical procurement of medical commodities" .

The BMA previously highlighted the work of the Medical Fair and Ethical Trade Group in the paper on unethical manufacture of surgical instruments:
http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/fairandethicaltrade

Further information about the Group can be obtained from: internationalinfo@bma.org.uk

The full Strategy can be found here:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_088702