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Washington University School of Medicine | |
| City: St. Louis | State: MO | |
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Commentary:Ambitious conflicts of interest policies at the Washington University School of Medicine cover most of the scored domains. If strictly interpreted and applied broadly, the policies are quite good. However, there is often a great degree of ambiguity - the language of the policies is often not specific enough to warrant the highest score in many areas. This institution has not consented to allow portions of its policy to be cited for illustrative purposes. |
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| Gifts & Meals |  |
The School of Medicine bans gifts from commercial companies to physicians who engage in clinical care. Additionally, the policy bans all industry-sponsored food and catered meals on School of Medicine premises and at educational conferences that trainees attend. |
| Consulting relationships |  |
This policy requires there be a contract for consulting activities, but does not require institutional review. |
| Industry-funded speaking relationships |  |
The School of Medicine does not have a policy specific to speaking relationships and only requires a written agreement when receiving compensation for services from a commercial company. This is not considered a substantial limit on speaking relationships. |
| Disclosure | |
The School of Medicine has an excellent policy on disclosure, and was one of the few institutions to receive a perfect score in this domain. Most importantly, disclosure to patients is required when a physician's industry relationship is related to the patient's treatment. The policy also requires that all potential conflicts of interest be disclosed annually, as well as when new conflicts may arise. At times, disclosure to outside entities and the public may be required. |
| Pharmaceutical samples | |
This policy requires that only low-income patients receive samples. While a commendable principle, this policy does not limit the use of samples by industry as a marketing tool. Other more restrictive programs on samples achieve this end while simultaneously ensuring that the needs of underserved patients are met. |
| Purchasing & Formularies | |
Purchasing and Formulary committee members must disclose their financial conflicts. |
| Site Access | |
Industry representatives must have an appointment to be on School of Medicine premises. Representatives are not permitted in patient care areas and are prohibited from interacting with students and trainees without faculty presence. |
| On-campus Education | |
Unrestricted educational grants may be provided by industry, with educational program and materials under exclusive control of the School of Medicine. Additional guidelines for CME programs were referenced in the institution’s response to request for policies, but the hyperlink provided was not active. |
| Attendance at Industry-Sponsored Lectures & Meetings Off-Campus | |
Under its comprehensive gifts policy, the School of Medicine bans cash payments, travel, free accommodations and payments for meeting registrations. Although the policy does not prohibit all industry support for off-site education by name, it is assumed the gifts policy applies. |
| Industry Support for Scholarships & Funds for Trainees | |
No applicable policy. |
| Medical school curriculum | |
No policy, or policy not provided. |
| Do the policies specify an oversight mechanism? |  |
The School of Medicine provides detailed information on the parties responsible for oversight of conflicts of interest policies. The institution has also established a compliance hotline to report or discuss concerns related to policies. |
| Are there explicit sanctions for noncompliance? | |
The School of Medicine outlines clear sanctions for noncompliance with conflicts of interest policies. |
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| Model policy |
| Good progress toward model policy |
| No policy, or policy unlikely to have a substantial effect on behavior |
 | Did not report |
 | Policy not relevant to this institution (e.g., does not make purchasing decisions) |
