BTS statement: Proposed takeover of Vectura by Philip Morris International

The British Thoracic Society (BTS) is aware of the planned acquisition of inhaled medicines specialist Vectura by Phillip Morris International (PMI).

BTS aligns with lung and cancer charities and medical societies in the UK as well as with our counterpart in the United States, the American Thoracic Society, in highlighting the inappropriateness of this deal and calling for this takeover to be prevented, given the unresolvable ethical conflict that would be generated by such an arrangement.

The British Thoracic Society’s Position Statement on Tobacco is clear that in relation to the tobacco industry, BTS will work with colleagues in this country and overseas to combat misinformation about, and the active promotion of, tobacco products, as well as highlighting that tobacco industry funding for academic institutions or research is unacceptable (section 11).

BTS membership is not open to those who have, or have had, paid involvement with tobacco industry at any point in the previous 10 years.

Any company with links to the tobacco industry will not be approved for participation (for example as exhibitors) in any Society Conference or meeting.

Furthermore, publication of papers funded (wholly or in part) by the tobacco industry in the Society’s journals, Thorax and BMJ Open Respiratory Research, is specifically prohibited.

Responses from other institutions

The American Thoracic Society's (ATS) and The European Respiratory Society's positions on the proposed takeover.

The Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation's (AUK/BLF) partnership, Cancer Research UK and Action on Smoking and Health wrote to the business and health secretaries warning about the proposed acquisition. The letter is available behind paywall in The Times newspaper.