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University of Massachusetts Medical School | |
| City: Worcester | State: MA | |
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Links:
Commentary:Relationships_w_Vendors_Summary_Outline_CPC_Approved_12-18-2007_AMSA.doc FAQs_UMM_Policy_2-2008.doc Conflict_of_Interest_Policy_w-out_Disclos_Stmt_3-_2007.doc Conflict_of_Interest_Disclosure_Statement_E_Learn_4_U_6-2007.doc A reassessment has been completed. After the provision of an anditional policy, this institution has moved from a 2 to a 3 for Consulting Relationships, and from a 1 to a 2 in Disclosure. Their grade has moved from a B to an A. Clear, model language throughout is a hallmark of University of Massachusetts Medical School’s policy on industry interactions, which has been approved with a target implementation date of July 1, 2008. The Medical School supports this strong policy with a lucid and practical frequently asked questions document. University of Massachusetts Medical School submitted additional policies on June 3rd, 2008, and are currently being reassessed. |
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| Gifts & Meals |  |
Meals on and off-campus, as well as all gifts are prohibited. Noteworthy: the Medical School will engage in an input and education process to phase in gifts policy for all medical staff. |
| Consulting relationships | |
Consulting arrangements require a written agreement with specific and substantive deliverables, and further all consulting arrangements must be disclosed to the medical school for review. The Medical School has also restricted these relationships by providing a list of services that are legitimate: 1. Design of a new clinical trial or conduct or an existing clinical trial with which the institution is involved; 2. Development of a new diagnostic, therapeutic, or technical product; or 3. Development of an educational product. Consulting with marketing aims is specifically prohibited. |
| Industry-funded speaking relationships | |
Model language: "…clinical employees including physicians may not serve as members of any vendor speakers' bureau. If such individuals are bound by an existing formal contract," they must not renew or extend it. The Medical School also requires all compensated speaking relationships be disclosed for review. |
| Disclosure |  |
All medical school professors and associate professors (as well as all department heads, chairs, officers and board members) must disclose upon hiring (and annually thereafter) external financial relationships including but not limited to: research activities, clinical activities, technology related activities, scholarly activities, outside business activities, outside consulting & other relationships with industry. |
| Pharmaceutical samples | |
"All drug samples must be delivered to and remain under control of the Medical Center's Pharmacy," breaking the marketing link between detailer and clinician. |
| Purchasing & Formularies | |
Strong language: "The Medical Center's Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Device Procurement Committees should consist of members with no financial relationships with manufacturers, including gifts, grants, consulting, or other contracts," resulting in the potential exclusion of some current members and implementation of a disclosure process that is not expanded on elsewhere. |
| Site Access | |
Vendors are allowed only in non-patient care areas and only by appointment. |
| On-campus Education | |
Noteworthy: "An oversight committee of rotating physician leaders will review and oversee industry sponsorship exceeding established thresholds (i.e.: $10,000) to assess potential conflicts of interest." |
| Attendance at Industry-Sponsored Lectures & Meetings Off-Campus | |
"No honoraria, travel or lodging cost may be covered if the employee is simply attending" an educational conference. |
| Industry Support for Scholarships & Funds for Trainees | |
The foundation or clinical department selects the recipient of the scholarship or funds, and the activity must be deemed to have educational merit. |
| Medical school curriculum |  |
No curriculum component of policy provided. |
| Do the policies specify an oversight mechanism? |  |
A party responsible for oversight is not established in this policy. |
| Are there explicit sanctions for noncompliance? | |
This policy does not make reference to sanctions. |
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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) |
