International Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration in Health

Consensus Frameworks for Ethical Collaboration in Health are multi-stakeholder, collective action initiatives that outline shared principles and a common approach to guiding ethical conduct and collaboration for actors in healthcare.

Overview

The Consensus Framework is jointly supported by six leading bodies representing patients’ organizations, nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals, pharmacists, hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry — all united by a shared commitment to ensuring that relationships across the health ecosystem are grounded in ethical, transparent, and responsible decision-making.

First established in 2014, this Consensus Framework was revised in 2024 to coincide with its tenth anniversary and adopted in 2025. The individual policies of the participating organisations set out each organisation’s detailed commitments and offer more diverse and in depth information and guidance.

The Consensus Framework is a living document and is open to other stakeholders in life sciences and healthcare delivery, who are encouraged to endorse and contribute to its evolution.

Principles

The Consensus Framework is based on the shared values and principles represented in individual codes and guidelines of each signatory partner. It highlights those values held by all partners and the on-going commitment to protect and promote values such as transparency, respect, trust, clear and independent information about health treatments, and the responsible use of health data and technology.

It is underpinned by the five overarching principles below.

Put patients first

Support ethical research and innovation

Ensure independence and ethical conduct

Promote transparency and accountability

Uphold responsible use of health data and technology

Signatories

Report 26 June 2025

International consensus framework for ethical collaboration in health

The International Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration in Health is the only global platform of its kind, routinely convening diverse health stakeholders in support of high-quality patient care. First established in 2014, the Consensus Framework was revised in 2024 to coincide with its tenth anniversary and adopted in 2025 to include a new principle, on responsible use of health data and technology. This reflects a growing importance of digital health and artificial intelligence, and a need for ethics to evolve alongside innovation.

Why consensus frameworks?

Upholding high-standard ethical business practices and sustaining patient trust is of utmost importance to health systems, especially for SMEs in health-related sectors.

Consensus Frameworks bring together patients’ organizations, industry associations, healthcare professionals, health regulators, civil society, and academic institutions, among others.

All partners have a mutual interest in making sure that the relationship between patients, healthcare professionals, the pharmaceutical sector, and their organizations is based on ethical and responsible decision making.

Consensus Frameworks have been adopted at international and national levels. IFPMA member associations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, and New Zealand, among others, are directly participating or have actively supported the formation of a Consensus Framework. They convene with hundreds of diverse health stakeholders.

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The world’s largest public-private partnership to strengthen ethical business practices in the innovative pharmaceutical sector.

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The benefits of Consensus Frameworks

Hundreds of medical device and biopharmaceutical industry associations, healthcare professional and hospital groups, patient organizations, health regulators, and other stakeholders across nearly a dozen APEC member economies are committed to heightening collaboration on ethical business conduct through Consensus Frameworks.