The British Dietetic Association (BDA) is announcing a new corporate partnership with Novo Nordisk, building on a number of projects we have already worked on together to support our members and improve patient care.
As the professional body for the dietetic workforce, we work with organisations across the healthcare landscape, including the NHS, charities, universities, policymakers and industry. These relationships help ensure our profession has a voice in conversations that influence patient care, research, education and service delivery.
We recognise that some members may have questions about partnerships with pharmaceutical companies. Those questions are entirely reasonable. Working with a pharmaceutical company does not mean we endorse all of its activities. Rather, it allows us to engage in a structured and transparent way, with clear governance and safeguards in place.
Partnerships such as this can help the BDA develop new resources, support continuing professional development, strengthen advocacy work and ensure dietetic expertise is represented in discussions across healthcare. Our aim is always to strengthen the profession and improve outcomes for patients.
Supporting practical resources for patients and professionals
One example of this collaboration is the BDA's recently launched evidence-based resource hub on medicines for obesity.
Developed by the BDA Obesity Specialist Group in collaboration with people with lived experience of obesity, dietitians and other healthcare professionals, the resources provide practical information for patients, carers and healthcare professionals. They are freely available and designed to help people better understand and manage treatment alongside dietary and lifestyle support.
Novo Nordisk provided grant funding to support the development of these resources. Importantly, Novo Nordisk had no input into or influence over their development or content. Editorial control remained entirely with the BDA and the professionals involved in the project.
The project also brought together expertise from several BDA Specialist Groups and external stakeholders, demonstrating the value of collaborative working focused on improving patient care.
Why the BDA works with pharmaceutical companies
Dietetic professionals work across the full spectrum of healthcare, in hospitals, community settings, research and industry. Ensuring the profession has a voice in conversations that shape treatment pathways, services and patient care is central to what the BDA does.
Partnerships like this one allow us to do that more effectively, while maintaining the independence and professional standards our members and the public expect. Our clinical guidance, policy positions and educational content are developed independently and remain entirely evidence-based. Commercial supporters do not influence BDA recommendations.
Members can read more about these safeguards in our frequently asked questions.
Supporting the profession
Dr Duane Mellor, Chair of the BDA Diabetes Specialist Group, said, “Working with industry, including the pharmaceutical industry, can present ethical issues. However, it is essential that dietitians as with other health professionals engage in a productive and open-minded conversation. This allows us to gain a clear understanding of how treatments work, without being biased by company messaging, but based on the evidence so we can provide the best care for patients.
“Many specialist dietitians work for pharmaceutical and medical device companies, demonstrating how our professional approach and skills are essential in supporting people living with diabetes. As a specialist group, it is vital we support our members who work both directly with people living with diabetes as well as those working in industry.
“This can include working with the pharmaceutical industry on projects focused on improving patient care and the role of the dietitian. In the area of diabetes, this can include developing resources to educate on carbohydrate counting or managing glucose levels for individuals using weight management therapies.
“The key is the focus on supporting patient health and choice. When projects work well, it is not about individual products or companies; it is about improving care.”
Dr Adrian Brown, Chair of the BDA Obesity Specialist Group, said, “Our experience working with Novo Nordisk has been consistently positive, underpinned by a shared commitment to improving care for people living with obesity.
“Most recently, joint financial support from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly enabled the independent development of new, freely accessible nutritional resources for individuals using obesity management medications. This funding made it possible to undertake a robust review of the evidence base and engage meaningfully with people with lived experience, work that would not have been possible otherwise.
“These resources are particularly timely given the increasing use of these treatments across obesity and related conditions.
“Novo Nordisk has also provided financial support for our in-person events, helping to facilitate education, knowledge exchange, and professional engagement within the dietetic community.
“We recognise that partnership working with industry can raise questions. However, our experience demonstrates that when financial support is transparent and independence is maintained, such collaborations can enable high-quality, evidence-based work while ensuring dietitians retain a strong, independent voice and deliver meaningful, practical support for the people they serve.”
Find out more
We know that members may have questions about how partnerships with pharmaceutical companies work in practice.
To support open and transparent discussion, we have published a dedicated FAQs page covering:
- how pharmaceutical partners are selected
- how BDA independence is protected
- conflict of interest management
- sponsorship and education
- member data protection
- how members can provide feedback
If you have questions, comments or feedback about this partnership, we encourage you to read our FAQs about pharmaceutical partnerships. If you have further questions, please get in touch through our feedback form on the webpage.
