The primary missions of the School of Medicine are to provide outstanding educational programs for medical and graduate students and trainees; to provide the highest standard of clinical care for patients; to develop outstanding, knowledgeable physicians and scientists who serve the community and the world; and to conduct innovative and collaborative research and integrate this knowledge into the practice of medicine. The School of Medicine is committed to ensuring that its faculty, staff, students, and trainees strive for the highest degree of ethical and professional standards in carrying out its missions. As part of this commitment, the School supports principled relationships with industry in which its faculty, staff, students, and trainees collaborate with industry on advances in science and medicine that enhance Emory’s missions and are beneficial to the public.
The primary intent of this policy is to support faculty, staff, students, and trainees in effectively engaging in principled relationships with outside entities. The individual, the School and University can work together to enhance the beneficial outcomes of principled personal external relationships and to prevent situations that might create actual or perceived conflicts of interest and might harm the public, the institution, or the individual.
- Faculty, staff, students and trainees in the School of Medicine may not accept any personal gifts from industry, regardless of value.
- Medications or pharmaceutical samples cannot be accepted. Company representatives should be directed to the Emory Healthcare Pharmacy.
- Gifts cannot be solicited or accepted for a specific or distinct activity, such as travel to a particular meeting or funding for a specific speaker or topic.
- Gifts cannot be accepted to fund a specific fellow or sub-specialty fellowship program.
- Gifts cannot be accepted for a specific researcher or research lab.
- There can be no commitment by Emory, or by Emory faculty, staff, students or trainees, of anything in return for a gift, such as patient data, survey or research results, endorsement of a product, or the purchase of products or services.
- Gifts cannot be accepted for a “named activity” such as the ABC Drug Company Scholars.
- Must not disclose information regarding clinical trials of medical devices or drugs to any outside entity.
- Must not provide advice or training to industry regarding selling, marketing, or promoting of a company’s products.
- May not receive remuneration for listening to sales talks or attending industry sponsored education and training.
- May be part of interactions between industry representatives and faculty that concern research being done by the faculty member and industry, as long as the meeting does not include sales, marketing, or promotion.
- Must cooperate with inquiries from Emory administrative offices regarding compliance with these policies.
- Submit proposals for personal, external professional relationships with industry and other entities to the Dean for review and approval prior to engaging or receiving compensation for the activities.
- Additional regulations in this policy include:
- Commercial Exhibits are prohibited in School of Medicine Buildings.
- Any book or educational material that is recommended by a faculty member who has a financial interest in the book or material must be approved by a committee formed by the faculty member’s chair.
- Faculty presentations to medical students and residents should disclose all their personal, professional financial relationships with industry in each presentation.
Residents are encouraged to discuss any questions regarding these policies with their Program Director.