Competing interests: The BMJ has judged that there are no disqualifying financial ties to commercial companies. The authors declare the following other interests: CD is a member of the NGO Health Action International (HAI), and is HAI’s alternative member on the European Medicines Agency’s patients and consumer working group. HAI has provided funding for projects led by CD and colleagues at LSE. HN has received research funding from the Health Foundation, the Commonwealth Fund, UK Research and Innovation, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research. HN has received fees for advisory roles for the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (representing pharmacists), The BMJ, and the World Health Organization.