Ask ACCME
1: IndependenceQUESTIONS RELATED TO SCS 1.1 ____________________________________________ 1) How can non-[tax-]exempt entities stay involved in CME? (SCS 1.1) Non-[tax-]exempt entities must put the control of CME into the hands of those outside of the commercial interest, e.g. by creating an independent education foundation. 2) The ACCME has said (FAQs published September 2004) that commercial supporters may not direct content. Is it inappropriate for the Provider to ask industry for suggestions regarding topics for CME sessions? Is it unacceptable to ask industry for ideas for speakers or topics? (SCS 1.1) No, the ACCME Updated Standards do not prohibit the accredited provider from asking about topics or speakers. Providers may seek information about what would constitute a good activity from many sources – including commercial supporters. However SCS 1.1 and 3.2 require that the provider make independent decisions about how this information is used. 3) Is the following scenario allowed?...A CME provider is hired by a drug company to run an event where a doctor (hired by the same drug company) would present a CME seminar, talk, or author a CME paper. (SCS 1.1) This should not occur as described under either the 1992 Standards for Commercial Support or the Updated SCS. There is a requirement that the provider ensure that critical elements of activity planning be done independently of a commercial interest (SCS1.1). The accredited provider is not ‘hired’ but rather receives commercial support and is required to fulfill SCS Standard 3, in this regard. The teacher or author must be selected and paid by the accredited provider (SCS 1.1, SCS 3.8). No funds can go directly from the commercial supporter to the teacher/author (SCS 3.9). QUESTIONS RELATED TO SCS 1.2 ____________________________________________ 1) Why will ACCME not allow commercial interests to act as joint sponsors? (SCS 1.2) Joint sponsors are educational partners and are expected to routinely have a role in making decisions about the elements specified in SCS 1.1. «Return to Overview |