Financial Conflict of Interest in Research

As an academic institution, ISMMS has an obligation to assure that its students conduct scientific and clinical research pursuant to the highest standards of ethics, free from any improper external bias. At the same time, ISMMS encourages scientific collaboration with industry and supports collaborative research geared towards developing new and improved diagnostic and therapeutic products. ISMMS appreciates, however, that these economic relationships with industry have the potential for directly and significantly affecting the approval, design, conduct, monitoring or reporting of a research study. Situations can occur in which an independent observer might reasonably conclude that the potential for individual or institutional profit could influence the outcome of a research study. Even in the absence of an actual conflict of interest, such situations may require actions to minimize the appearance of a conflict. Therefore, to safeguard the academic integrity of both ISMMS and its investigators, the institution has adopted a rigorous conflicts policy predicated on full disclosure and appropriate management.

The Policy on Financial Conflict of Interest in Research sets out the requirements for disclosing potential conflicts of interest in research and specifies the procedures for reviewing such disclosures and determining what corrective measures, if any, should be instituted. Furthermore, this policy includes clinical trials that evaluate the safety and efficacy of a drug, medical device or treatment, and research on technology in which the Investigator/Covered Person and/or the Institution has an ongoing financial interest, to the most rigorous review and stringent conditions.

This policy is based on the standards set forth in the federal regulations governing research funded by the Public Health Service (PHS) or the National Science Foundation (NSF) (42 CFR Part 50 Subpart F) and the recommendations promulgated by the Association of Academic Medical Centers.

For more information, please review the complete ISMMS policy on Conflicts of Interest.