AAMC task force issues guidelines on financial conflicts of interest

AAMC task force issues guidelines on financial conflicts of interest

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) released the first report on its task force on financial conflicts of interest in clinical research, "Protecting Subjects, Preserving Trust, Promoting Progress: Policy and Guidelines for the Oversight of Individual Financial Interests in Research." These guidelines propose that institutions adopt high standards for the reporting, review, and disclosure of researchers' financial interests in federally funded and privately sponsored human subjects research.

Implementation of these guidelines would have a noticable affect on individuals holding a significant financial interest in human subject research. The report recommends that academic institutions presume that any such scientists may not conduct that research, unless the researcher demonstrates to a reviewing body that the circumstances are compelling. The report also recognizes that each potential conflict of interest case must be closely examined on its merits and the reviewers must respect the institutional, individual, and scientific circumstances surrounding it. To achieve this, the task force recommends that academic institutions appoint a standing Conflicts of Interest committee. In the coming year, the task force will work to develop guidelines to monitor institutional financial interests in human subjects research. For more information: Go to http://www.aamc.org/coitf

Source: AAMC, December 17, 2001