The UK Patient Advocacy Leadership Coalition (UK PALCO) is a collection of like-minded cancer patient advocacy organisations that are dedicated to supporting and improving the lives of people living with cancer in the UK. A non-promotional initiative that is organised and funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd (“Novartis”), the UK PALCO members are advising and collaborating with Novartis to address barriers in the UK healthcare environment that impact cancer patient outcomes.

1. Who are the UK PALCO members?

UK PALCO is a Novartis-supported initiative comprised of cancer-focused patient advocacy organisations that are each dedicated to supporting and improving the lives of people living with cancer in the UK.

2. What is the focus of UK PALCO activities?

UK PALCO members and Novartis are collaborating to identify and address barriers in the UK healthcare environment that impact cancer patient outcomes. With the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbating already low early diagnosis rates, the current focus for action is the need to facilitate an improvement in earlier diagnosis and treatment in at-risk groups within primary care, including understanding and addressing the impact of healthcare inequalities on care access.

3. How long has UK PALCO been going?

The first meeting of UK PALCO was held in November 2019, the group has been working together ever since.

4. Has COVID-19 impacted UK PALCO activities?

(to be re-evaluated at end of 2021 to determine if no longer applicable)

Supporting early cancer detection was a focus for the UK PALCO pre the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the surrounding environment has changed due to the virus. Patients may find the current messaging from the NHS and the government confusing, and challenges in balancing acute short-term risks over potentially longer-term cancer risks are causing reluctance to access care. There is also increased complexity, and inconsistency, in GP service delivery based on numerous factors, including geography and local guidance. The UK PALCO members are working with Novartis to help define the role that business can play in helping to address these unprecedented new challenges.

5. Is UK PALCO seeking to expand its membership?

At this stage UK PALCO is not seeking to expand its core membership. However, key to the group is collaboration. Members are free to partner with other organisations to bring in additional support or expertise, where they feel appropriate.

6. What is the involvement of Novartis in the UK PALCO?

Novartis organises and funds UK PALCO. The UK PALCO members advise and collaborate with the company to address barriers in the UK healthcare environment that impact cancer patient outcomes. Novartis acts as a facilitator to the group and does not set the framework for decision-making.

7. How is the UK PALCO funded?

UK PALCO is funded by Novartis.

8. Does UK PALCO discuss initiatives linked to Novartis’ areas of business or products?

UK PALCO is a strictly non-promotional initiative, where Novartis acts as a convener only and does not set the framework for or participate in decision-making.

9. Are UK PALCO members paid for their involvement?

Novartis recognises the value of members’ expertise, so an honorarium is paid for their time, input and advice, where accepted by individual members. Honoraria is reflective of the time involved in UK PALCO and in line with fair market value. Novartis also reimburses all reasonable expenses incurred while contributing to UK PALCO.