Fundamentals of Conflict of Interest in

ResearchBy

Camille A. McWhirter, J.D.Director, Research Compliance

USF Health

Learning Objectives

Generally: Define a conflict of interest (COI) Define a COI in research Understand when a COI is a “COI in

research” Recognize different types of “self-interest”

that can create a conflict of interest

Learning Objectives (cont)

Regulatory Context:

Understand the difference between the state’s interest in regulating COI and the federal government’s interest in regulating COI

Identify the three federal government agencies who have rules regulating COI in research

Understand when each agency’s rules apply

Learning Objectives (cont)

Practical Application:

Identify the different types of conflicts of interest in a given scenario

Perform a COI review and develop a management plan

“Working” Definitions

Conflict of Interest A conflict of interest exists when an individual’s professional or ethical obligations might be compromised by self-interest.

“Working” DefinitionsConflict of Interest in Research

A conflict of interest in research exists when an investigator’s self-interests may compromise, or have the appearance of compromising, an investigator's professional judgment in the design, conduct or reporting of research.

InvestigatorAny person responsible for the design, conduct or reporting of research.

COI =Individual +Self-Interest +An Ethical or

Professional Duty

COI in Research =Investigator +Self-Interest +Objectivity in the

Design/Conduct/Reporting of Research

HINT: The management goal is to protect the integrity of the research

Hypothetical: COI?

Dr. Needbucks of Public University invented a drug to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

DevicesRUs, wants to sponsor a study with Dr. N as the PI to develop and test a device that will deliver Dr. N’s drug directly to the brain.

Dr. N’s spouse is the president of Lab Solutions, Inc. that manufactures lab supplies and equipment.

Dr. N and her staff purchase all of their basic supplies and equipment from Lab Solutions.

Ask: Investigator? Yes. The individual is an investigator on a

research study. Self-Interest? Yes, financial interest of spouse in a company

that sells research products.What is the professional/ethical obligation that is compromised? The duty potentially compromised by this self-interest is the duty of public stewardship--to refrain from using one’s public position to enhance one’s private interests. Conclusion: This is a conflict of interest in a research setting, but not a “COI in Research” as we have defined it because the investigator’s self-dealing, while perhaps a conflict with her public position, does not compromise the integrity of the research results.

What if during the course of the study…

Dr. Needbucks purchases $30,000 worth of stock in DevicesRUs?

Repeat the analysis: Investigator? Yes. The individual is an investigator on a

research study. Self-Interest? Yes, Dr. N’s financial investment in the

sponsor/manufacturer of the device being tested.What is the professional/ethical obligation that is compromised? The duty potentially compromised by this self-interest is the duty of objectivity in the design, conduct, or reporting of the research study. Conclusion: This is a “COI in Research” as we have defined it. Note that there may be more than one type of conflict of interest at work in the research context—multiple avenues of self-interest and multiple professional or ethical duties.

Types of Self-Interest

Self-interest can manifest in the form of A financial benefit Enhanced reputation Personal relationships Professional relationships Other interests (political, religious,

intellectual)

What type of self-interest is represented by these examples?

Dr. Warren is an investigator for a study testing a new medical device. Dr. Snyder’s brother is one of the owners of the company developing the device. (Personal Relationship)

Dr. Mercer sits on the IACUC and reviews a study about cloning. Dr. Mercer thinks cloning is immoral and unethical. (Personal Belief)

What type of self-interest is represented by these examples?

Dr. O’Connor owns significant stock in a biotech company. The company approaches him about conducting research on the viability of a new genetics test. (Financial Interest)

Dr. Tate is the co-founder of a new method of behavioral therapy for which he has received worldwide recognition. He is approached about conducting a study for another form of therapy which, if effective, would render his form of therapy obsolete. (Reputation )

What type of self-interest is represented by these examples?

Dr. Markham sits on the board of directors of Company X. Company X is developing a new piece of equipment and they ask Dr. Markham to conduct a study on the safety and efficacy of the equipment.

(Professional Relationship)

State Regulations (Code of Conduct of Public Officers and Employees) The state regulations only address general COI of public

officers and employees and are designed to prohibit and/or manage conflicts between a public employee’s duties to the state employer and the employee’s personal interests

Example: A public employee acting in a private capacity, may not sell goods to his or her own agency.

Example: A public employee may not have an ongoing or regularly recurring conflict with his or her public employment (catch-all provision).

What interests are the state COI regulations designed to protect?

Federal Regulations (NSF/PHS and Food & Drug Administration) The federal regulations only address COI in research Example: Universities receiving federal funds to conduct

research must have policies to manage bias in the design, conduct or reporting of research funded with federal dollars (PHS/NSF).

Example: A sponsor of a new drug/device must certify that COI of investigators in studies supporting the FDA approval of the drug/device either does not exist or is adequately managed

What interests are the federal regulations designed to protect?

Federal Regulations

The federal regulations only address one type of “self-interest”:

FINANCIAL INTERESTS

(Why?)

Federal Regulations Food and Drug Administration

Applies in research involving a drug, device or biologic.

Requires disclosure at the time of application for approval of a drug device or biologic.

Evaluates the impact of the researcher’s financial interests on the reliability of the study.

Federal Regulations Public Health Service (PHS) & National

Science Foundation (NSF)

Applies to institutions receiving grants from these agencies

Requires development of a COI policy that meets certain minimum requirements

Deliberately vague to permit flexibility in the administration of policy

PHS and NSF regulations were developed cooperatively to make the regulations consistent.

FDA Regulations

“Anyone who submits a marketing application of any drug, biological product or device must submit certain information concerning compensation to, and financial interests of, any clinical investigator conducting studies covered by this rule.”

21 CFR Part 54

What is the “certain information”?

Applicant must EITHER certify that:

• No financial arrangements have been made with an INV where study outcome could affect compensation.

• INV has no proprietary interest in the tested product.

• INV does not have significant equity in sponsor and has not received other payment

OR

Disclose the specified financial arrangement and any steps taken to minimize the potential for bias.

Then, FDA will determine whether conflicting interest could jeopardize the integrity of the study. Such a determination can result in severe delays and significant financial losses. So….institutions are doing it for themselves.

Potential FDA ActionsIf the FDA is concerned about the conflict, the FDA can:

• Audit the data derived from the INV in question

• Request further data analysis to evaluate the effect of the INV data on overall results

• Request additional independent studies• Refuse to use the data to support an FDA

action

PHS/NSF COI Regulations

Investigator Responsibilities:

Must report any significant financial interests (including those of spouse and dependent children) to a designated institutional official.

Significant Financial Interests

Anything of monetary value, including salary, consulting fees or honoraria, equity interests (stock, ownership interests) and intellectual property rights.

EXCEPTIONS:• Salary from your own institution• Ownership interest in an institution applying

for an SBIR grant• Income from speaking engagements

sponsored by government or non-profit• Income from advisory boards of G or NP• Equity interest < $10,000 or 5% • Annual payments < $10,000

PHS/NSF COI RegulationsInstitutional Responsibilities:

Written enforced policies on COIDesignated institutional officialEnsure that each investigator submits a disclosure form for

PHS and NSF research annuallyProvide guidelines for review of COI and manage COIMaintain records for 3 yearsEstablish enforcement mechanisms and sanctionsReport failures to comply to awarding agency

Problem for Institutions

COI can be subtle and complex, often involving ethical issues beyond the scope of regulation. Also, the regulations that do exist are purposefully flexible in order to allow the institutions to apply them in the way that best suits the institution. So the regulations can often seem vague and open to interpretation.

Solution: Guidance Documents Consequently, a number of federal government

agencies and national professional associations have published guidance documents to help individuals and institutions cope with COI in research issues regulated by the federal government.

Among these organizations are the American Medical Association (AMA), the Association of American Universities (AAU), and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

Conflict of Interest Committee

Many of the guidance documents recommend that institutions create a Conflict of Interest Committee (COIC) to evaluate, manage COI in research, and to ensure that the institution’s COI policies and procedures and applicable COI regulations are met.

General Principles in Dealing with COI in Research COI is virtually unavoidable. COI does not preclude participation of an

investigator in a project. Must have a culture of honest and full disclosure

so that steps can be taken to manage conflicts effectively

Not all COI can be managed.

COI Committee Review

MOTIVATION

How much incentive does the INV have to bias the design, conduct or reporting of the research?

OPPORTUNITY

Is the INV in a position to bias the design, conduct or reporting of the research?

Possible Steps to Manage COIElimination of the conflicting interest (e.g.,

divestiture of financial interest or removal from project)

Substitution of non-interested personnel on the project

Public disclosure of the financial interests (journals, research subjects, collaborators, etc.)

Monitoring of research by independent reviewersLook for inherent management controls (e.g., the

research has objective endpoints that are not subject to manipulation by the investigator)

COI Committee: Hypothetical

Investigator Scully has regular and ongoing consulting agreements with various sponsors of clinical trials on which he conducts studies.

The aggregate of income for any one sponsor can be anywhere from $8,000 -$30,000 per year.

COI Committee: Hypothetical Investigator Scully is approached to conduct a study for Company X and files a financial disclosure stating that he anticipates receiving $9,999 in income from Company X over the next 12 months.

Scully also served on the advisory board of Company X to assist with the study design and analysis on the study that he has been asked to conduct for Company X.

Scully might receive more $$$ from Company X if he is asked to give lectures on the study during the year.

COI Committee: HypotheticalAdditional facts:

The study in question is a multi-center trial that will obtain data from 10 different sites aggregate. Scully is the PI for one of the sites.

Data analysis is externally conducted—i.e., Scully is not involved in the analysis of study data

The COI is disclosed in manuscripts submitted for publication per journal requirements.

COI Committee: Hypothetical

The research subjects’ informed consent will outline Scully’s interests related to Company X.

There are other investigators on the study who do not have an interest in Company X.

Some Issues to Consider

What information do you need from INV Scully?

How would you handle the “uncertain” amount of income that may be received annually?

Is there sufficient motivation to be concerned about bias in the design, conduct or reporting of the study?

Some Issues to Consider

Is there sufficient opportunity?

Is this conflict manageable?

How does the involvement of human subjects influence your decision?

Would your opinion change if the amount of annual consulting compensation was $100,000?

A colleague reports that Scully is diverting the best grad students to work on the Company X project to the detriment of other unfunded research projects in the Department.

Should this issue be addressed in your review?

Why Should INV Disclose?

“COINS” Study (COI notification): Sixteen focus groups in 3 cities, including healthy adults and those with illnesses of varying degrees.

Findings: Disclosure promotes informed decision-making, trust, reduction of legal liability

“Views of Potential Research Participants on Financial Conflicts of Interest

Barriers and Opportunities for Effective Disclosure “ Kevin P. Weinfurt, PhD, et al Journal of General Internal Medicine 2006;21:901-906.