According to a new report, doctors and nurses in the health services in the UK received a total of £40million in payments from the world's biggest drug firms in a period of one year for consultancy work and sponsorship.

The NHS and private healthcare staff in the UK received the money from various large drug firms for activities relating to consultancy and sponsorship during 2012.  This is the first itme such informational has been published publically and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) pointed out that the data has been released as part of the on-going transparency drive for health sector in the country.

A spokesperson said that the money was paid to health staff for "attending medical education events, support such as training and development, as well as fees for services such as speaking engagements to share good clinical practice and participation in advisory boards."

The Ethical Standards in Health and Life Sciences Group has noted that such disclosures would be a great step in bringing transparency between the industries.  The working group involving the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and the ABPI have launched consultations on whether doctors should declare such payments.  Leaders from the medical and pharmaceutical industries have said that they are considering such proposal.