Home Government Affairs Newsroom Meetings Publications	Shopping Cart Site Map

Financial Conflicts of Interest in Medical Research Press Kit

Researchers at medical schools and teaching hospitals are responsible for medical breakthroughs and advances that have dramatically improved the health of our nation. Relationships with commercial industries are important in bringing these breakthroughs to patients, but some of these relationships can create financial conflicts of interest (or the appearance of financial conflicts of interest) that may threaten the integrity of the research and the trust of the public. Accordingly, AAMC believes that academic medical centers should systematically review any financial interest that might give rise to the perception of a conflict and take appropriate steps to assure the integrity of the research and the protection of human subjects who participate in it.

AAMC/AAU Guidelines on Managing COI

In a joint report, the AAMC and the Association of American Universities (AAU) have called on all medical schools and major research universities to develop and implement institutional financial conflicts of interest policies within the next two years, and to refine standards for addressing individual financial conflicts of interest.

AAMC, AAU Issue New Guidelines on Managing Conflicts of Interest (News Release - Feb. 28, 2008)

Protecting Patients, Preserving Integrity, Advancing Health: Accelerating the Implementation of COI Policies in Human Subjects Research (PDF, 87 pages - Report - Feb. 2008)

Medical Schools Wrestle With Conflict of Interest Policies (AAMC Reporter - April 2008)

U.S. Medical School Policies on Individual Financial Conflicts of Interest

According to the results of an AAMC survey, U.S. medical schools have made significant progress since 2001 in clarifying and strengthening their financial conflicts of interest standards in clinical research.

Medical Schools Tighten Conflicts of Interest Standards (News Release - Sept. 13, 2004)

U.S. Medical School Policies on Individual Financial Conflicts of Interest (PDF, 9 pages - Report - Sept. 2004)

Oversight of Conflicts in Federally-Funded Research

AAMC Supports Strong Oversight of Federal Conflict of Interest Regulations for NIH-Funded Research (News Release - Jan. 18, 2008)

Task Force Reports and Guidance

The AAMC Task Force on Financial Conflicts of Interest in Clinical Research produced two reports—one relevant to individual researchers and one to research institutions—on oversight of financial interests in human subjects research.

AAMC Task Force Issues Report on Institutional Conflicts of Interest in Research (News Release - Sept. 23, 2002)

Protecting Subjects, Preserving Trust, Promoting Progress II: Principles and Recommendations for Oversight of an Institution's Financial Interests in Human Subjects Research (PDF, 18 pages - Second Report - Oct. 2002)

AAMC Task Force Issues Guidelines on Financial Conflicts of Interest (News Release - Dec. 17, 2001)

Protecting Subjects, Preserving Trust, Promoting Progress: Policy and Guidelines for the Oversight of Individual Financial Interests in Human Subjects Research (PDF, 25 pages - First Report - Dec. 2001)

Symposium on the Science Behind Conflicts of Interest

At the AAMC Symposium on the Scientific Basis of Influence and Reciprocity on June 12, 2007, experts from around the nation discussed emerging neurobiological and psychosocial evidence demonstrating the effects of gifts, favors, and reciprocal relationships on human choices and behaviors.

Meeting Summary (June 2007)

The Scientific Basis of Influence and Reciprocity: A Symposium (Report, Jan. 2008)

Related Resources

Protecting Patients, Preserving Integrity, Advancing Health: Accelerating the Implementation of COI Policies in Human Subjects Research (PDF, 87 pages - Report - Feb. 2008)