DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Definition: A Conflict of Interest may occur in situations where the personal and professional interests of individuals may have actual, potential or apparent influence over their judgment and actions.

The Canadian Association of Pathologists - Association canadienne des pathologistes (CAP-ACP) requires all presenters and members of Planning Committees to complete this Disclosure of Conflict of Interest form. The 2007 CMA Guidelines for Physicians in Interaction with Industry, Section 24, states that,

“CME/CPD organizers and individual physician presenters are responsible for ensuring the scientific validity, objectivity and completeness of CME/CPD activities. Organizers and individual presenters must disclose to the participants at their CME/CPD events any financial affiliations with manufacturers of products mentioned at the event or with manufacturers of competing products.”1

The intent of this policy is not to prohibit speakers from presenting, but rather to inform the audience of any bias that speakers may have.

  1. All financial or ‘in kind’ relationships (not only those relevant to the subject being discussed) encompassing the previous two (2) years must be disclosed.
  2. It is the presenter’s responsibility to ensure that their presentation (and any recommendations) is balanced and reflects the current scientific literature. Unapproved use of products or services must be declared within the presentation. The only caveat to this guideline is where there is only one treatment or management strategy.
  3. Disclosure must be done verbally, displayed in writing on a slide at the beginning of a presentation or included in the written conference materials.
  4. The attached form must be completed and submitted to the Canadian Association of Pathologists - Association canadienne des pathologistes prior to the start date of the event or program.
    • Part 1 must be completed by all Speakers and Planning Committee members
    • Part 2 must be completed by all Speakers
    • Part 3 must be completed by all Speakers and Planning Committee members
  5. Examples of relationships that must be disclosed include but are not limited to the following:
    • Any direct financial interest in a commercial entity such as a pharmaceutical organization, medical devices company or communications firm (“ the Organization”)
    • Investments held in the Organization
    • Membership on the Organization’s Advisory Board or similar committee
    • Current or recent participation in a clinical trial sponsored by the Organization
    • Member of a Speakers Bureau
    • Holding a patent for a product referred to in the CME/CPD activity or that is marketed by a commercial organization
  6. Failure to disclose or false disclosure may require the Planning Committee to replace the speaker

1CMA Policy: Guidelines for Physicians in Interactions with Industry. Approved 2007-Dec-01.http://policybase.cma.ca/dbtw-wpd/Policypdf/PD08-01.pdf

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