Independence of Washington State Pharmacists Association Continuing Education Seminars

Independence of Washington State Pharmacy Association Continuing Education Articles

The FDA has become increasingly involved in regulation of continuing medical education (CME) lectures. This attention to medical/pharmacy education programs arose from concern that industry supported educational activities were being used as promotional opportunities.

The Washington State Pharmacy Association has a long history of providing continuing education (C.E.) programs that display a fair and balanced examination of topics. In support of our clearly educational focus, the WSPA has drafted a statement delineating the independence of our educational programs from promotional bias. This statement outlines the responsibilities of both the WSPA and the supporting pharmaceutical companies in providing C.E. programs.

Please review the following statement so that all parties participating in WSPA C.E. articles are in complete understanding of their scope of program involvement.

WSPA Independent Continuing Education Statement The Washington State Pharmacy Association independently designs and conducts its continuing education programs. The WSPA is approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. As an approved provider, the WSPA retains full control over the design, content, selection of authors and editors participating in its continuing education programs. Companies contributing to WSPA continuing education programs may suggest topics or authors for programs, but they may take no role in the design or content of the program. WSPA programs are fair, balanced and independent from the influence of supporting companies. WSPA continuing education program supporters agree not to influence the content of WSPA CE programs. Supporting companies are welcome to display at CE programs in the journal near the article, but there will be no company product advertisements or company materials distributed within the article itself.

When a single product is the subject of discussion during a WSPA CE program there will be a balanced discussion of the prevailing body of scientific information on the product and reasonable, alternative treatment options. There will be meaningful disclosure of any limitations on information that is presented. If the presenter discusses non-approved (unlabeled) uses, they will disclose that the product is not approved in the United States for this use.

I have reviewed and understand the above policy statements.

Signature______Date ______

Please Print Name Legibly______Conflict of Interest Declaration Please complete one of the two sections.

Definition for Commercial Interest: interest is defined as any proprietary entity producing health care goods or services, with the exemption of non-profit or government organizations and non-health care related companies. Relevant Financial Relationships: as financial relationships in any amount occurring within the past 12 months that create a conflict of interest.

Section 1. I understand, declare that neither I nor any member of my family have a financial relationship with any commercial interest.

Print Name: ______

Signature: ______Date: ______

Section 2.

I, the undersigned (or an immediate family member), have a financial relationship or affiliation with a commercial interest:

Affiliation/Financial Interest Corporate Organizations Employee, full- or part-time ______Grant/Research Support ______Consultant ______Stock Shareholder ______(Directly purchased) ______Honorarium ______Other Financial or Material Support ______Owner/Part Owner (please specify) ______

Print Name: ______

Signature: ______Date: ______

Having an interest in or an affiliation with the commercial interest does not necessarily prevent you from making the presentation, but the relationship must be made known to the audience. Failure to disclose or a false disclosure may require the WSPA to remove you from the program and to identify a replacement for your participation.