Section 39: Conflict of Interest Information
39. Conflict of Interest Information
What is a conflict of interest?
A "Conflict of Interest" is a situation in which financial or other personal considerations compromise, or have the appearance of compromising, an individual's professional judgment in proposing, conducting, supervising or reporting research.
What is the extent of a PI's responsibility to determine possible conflicts of interest that may be maintained by research personnel?
Under USC’s Conflict of Interest in Research policy, the PIs are responsible for confirming that all research personnel under their supervision who are involved in proposing, conducting or reporting research on their project have disclosed any potential conflict of interest related to the research. This can be accomplished through raising the issue at staff meetings, sending out a memo to research personnel, or any other reasonable method of communication. PIs should document their efforts to satisfy this obligation.
What does it mean for an entity to have an "economic interest in the research?"
An entity has an “economic interest” in the outcome of research where, by virtue of being an actual or potential owner or licensee of technology under study, the company stands to profit financially if the output of the research proves to be commercially valuable. This can occur, for example, when the company either currently does, or foreseeably will, manufacture or commercialize a device, procedure, drug, or any other product or service under study in, or associated with, the research.
The following definitions may be helpful when completing this section:
Investigator: An “Investigator” is defined as the Principal Investigator(s), co-Principal Investigator(s) and/or Co-Investigator(s) on the project.
Research Personnel: “Research Personnel” is defined as any other institutional employee, whether faculty or staff, who contributes to research activity, whether or not the research is funded, and regardless of status (faculty key personnel, technicians, nurse coordinators, administrators, graduate assistants).
Close Relation: "Close Relation" is defined as a spouse, domestic partner or dependent child of an Investigator or Research Personnel. In addition, a colleague, sibling parent or other relation is considered a Close Relation under this policy when an Investigator and/or Research Personnel knows that the Close Relation maintains a conflict of interest that may be impacted by research the Investigator and/or Research Personnel is conducting.
USC Healthcare Providers: USC Healthcare Providers are defined as university faculty members (including part-time and visiting faculty), students, staff and other employees (including employed residents and fellows), who interact with pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, device and medical equipment manufacturers and other healthcare suppliers (Industry) and who have influence over the prescribing, dispensing or purchasing of Industry products or services at USC.
Who can I call if I have questions about conflicts of interests in research?
Please call the USC Office of Compliance at 213.740.8258, send an email to the Office of Compliance, or contact the Vice Provost for Research Advancement at 213.740.6709.
What resources are available for researchers who want to know more about conflict of interest policies at USC?
Please open the following link to find out more about conflict of interest policy at USC: http://policies.usc.edu/policies/conflictresearch070108.pdf
What resources are available for researchers who want to know more about institutional conflict of interest policies at USC?
Please open the following link to find out more about institutional conflict of interest policy at USC: http://policies.usc.edu/policies/InstitutionalConflict090109.pdf