Financial-disclosure procedures, forms change

Science Article
July 17, 2003

Revised conflict of interest policy expands requirements for employees and affiliates

New procedures and forms are now required for the disclosure of outside activities and financial interests by center employees and affiliates. The changes, which took effect July 1, are part of the revised Conflict of Interest Policy, approved last summer by the Board of Trustees.

All faculty, staff and affiliates who participate in research studies supported by funds administered by or through the center are covered under the new procedures and are required to disclose their outside financial interests and relationships at least annually and in some cases more frequently using the amended forms.

Prior to July 1, only faculty had been routinely required to complete the disclosure forms. Under the revised policy, any key personnel or individuals participating in human subjects research-including nurses, study coordinators, biostatisticians and other research staff-whose duties and responsibilities meet either of the following two criteria are "covered" by the expanded disclosure process:

• Those responsible for the design, conduct or reporting of any research supported by funds administered by or through the center.
• Those involved in the consenting, enrolling or evaluating the response of study participants in human-subjects research supported by funds administered by or through the center.
• Key changes to the conflict-of-interest policy approved last year include:
• Certain financial interests and relationships previously managed under conflict management plans are now restricted for those participating in human subjects research.
• A conflict of interest committee was formed to assist Dr. Lee Hartwell, president and director, in making decisions relating to these new restrictions.
• Certain financial information reported on the annual summary of outside activities form may now be disclosed to participants in center-associated research studies who request such information.

Other disclosure forms used by the Office of Grants and Contract Administration and the Institutional Review Office are also being revised to conform to the new conflict of interest policy and will be available later this summer.

Copies of the annual and prior approval disclosure forms are available on request from division directors. The conflict of interest policy is on the General Counsel's Web site: http://www.fhcrc.org/admin/general_counsel/welcome.html.

Direct additional questions to Gerianne Sands, associate general counsel, at gsands@fhcrc.org or 206-667-1224.

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