Maximum transparency and 'war' on conflict of interest for all people involved in continuing medical education (CME), from providers to speakers, moderators and trainers. The new rules on sponsorship and advertising, contained in the application regulation of the new Ecm, just published by the National Commission for continuing education, are strict and have the objective - and the ambition - of guaranteeing the total independence of the compulsory updating of professionals of the healthcare.
Among the new features is the prohibition for sponsors to 'recruit' professionals who participate in training events and the request for speakers, moderators and trainers to declare any conflict of interest, or links with the sponsor in the previous two years. But there is also a ban on acquiring the role of provider not only for the pharmaceutical industry, as already envisaged, but also for those with first-degree relatives with commercial interests in healthcare. However, the industry can sponsor a provider as long as it is transparent and the sponsorship can be declared on the event programme, "on the back page and inconspicuously", but not in the durable material. Furthermore, it must not be conditioning in any way.
Advertising is prohibited from any material intended for the Ecm, unless it concerns other courses or congresses in which there are no influences from the sponsors.
Only generic names of medicines and tools are allowed during the courses, commercial names are prohibited. Furthermore, for each event, the agreements and contracts must be available which clearly indicate the reciprocal commitments.
Lastly, the provider is responsible for maintaining the independent: survey of training needs, identification of training objectives, identification of training contents, definition of teaching techniques, appointment of teachers/tutors. The sanctions for those who 'cheat' are indicated in an incoming document, developed by the National Ecm Commission which is already being signed by the Minister of Health.
Raffaella Ammirati – PharmaKronos January 22, 2010
