1.  Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to help members of the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) to effectively identify, disclose and manage any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest in order to protect the integrity of the member and WFUMB. The WFUMB Administrative Council through the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FRAC), currently Investment Advisory Committee, must manage any conflict to ensure that such a conflict does not influence the implementation of good practice.

2.  Definition of conflicts of interests

A conflict of interest exists if any individual can influence policy or finances and has a personal or professional interest that could be perceived as influencing their beliefs and     behaviour. Generally, any interest that has been active in the last 24 months (but for some conflicts such as having had a direct financial interest or being a member of a company board, of up to 5 years) should be declared. This includes financial support for organisational research projects. For this reason, each WFUMB officer or committee member, lecturers and authors involved   in WFUMB activities must disclose any relevant interests, arrangements or affiliations. For significant financial conflicts this would include the arrangements of close relatives.

3.  Implementation

Conflicts of interest are common and they do not need to present a problem to the Federation so long as they are openly and effectively managed.

WFUMB will manage conflicts of interest:

• by requiring individuals involved in WFUMB activities to identify and disclose any conflict of interest. This is achieved by requiring all WFUMB officers or committee members, lecturers or authors involved in WFUMB activities to submit an annual declaration. If a new potential conflict develops between submissions, this should be declared promptly at the next relevant committee meeting or, if no meeting within the next month, to the Administrative Manager.
• prior to a discussion in committee if it is expected that there may be a conflict of interest this must be disclosed to the committee who will decide whether this should result in the member absenting themselves from the meeting, remaining in the meeting but staying silent during the discussion, not participating in any associated voting or in exceptional circumstances resigning from the committee
• once an actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest is identified, it must be entered into the minutes, including the nature and extent of the conflict of interest and any steps taken to address it, monitoring compliance with this policy, and reviewing this policy biennially to ensure that the policy is operating effectively.

4. Compliance with this policy

If there is reason to believe that a person subject to the policy has failed to comply with it, that person will be referred to the FRAC which will decide if action needs to be taken.

This may include seeking resignation, termination of their relationship  with WFUMB and notifying their nominating Federation.

• If a person suspects that an individual has failed to disclose a conflict of interest, they shall raise the potential conflict with the person and with the Chair of the committee that they are a member of
• The committee Chair having determined that there is a potential failure to disclose, will refer to the Risk, Finance and Audit Committee
• If the FRAC considers that the conflicts policy has been breached, then they will notify the AC of their findings and the recommended sanction

5. Conflict of interest disclosure form

Disclosure must be made of both those relationships that pose a conflict and those that could reasonably be perceived as a conflict of interest or as potentially influencing of biasing their work. Membership of their Federation is not considered a conflict, nor is membership of a professional body unless they hold an officer position in that organisation.

Relationships within the last 24 months that are relevant should be disclosed. A relationship is ‘relevant’ if the relationship or interest relates to the issues in terms of any of the following: 

• the same or similar subject matter or topic under discussion
• the same, similar of competing drug or device, product or service, intellectual property or asset
• a drug or device company or its competitor
• a potential to result in financial, professional or other personal gain or loss for the member or their household. These would include receipt of honoraria, travel expenses and monies paid for expert advice
• any potential non-commercial conflicts shall be disclosed, including volunteer roles in relevant organisations

6. The Finance, Risk and Audit Committee

This committee should be made up of between 3 and 5 members who have the following characteristics

• have served in senior positions within WFUMB but are no longer involved in any other committees
• have no personal financial conflicts
• at least one member should be independent of WFUMB and have expertise from outside the organisation in audit, ethics, finance and or risk management
• appointment to the committee would be for 2 years extendable for a further 2 year term subject to agreement of the member and the AC
• the committee will report to the AC

Terms:

Commercial Interest

A ‘commercial interest’ is defined as any proprietary entity producing health care goods or services, with the exemption of non-profit or government organizations and non-healthcare related companies.

Non Commercial Interest

A ‘non-commercial interest’ is defined as any non-financial, personal stake or commitment that could potentially bias or compromise professional judgment. These are predominantly concerned with reputation, personal relationships, or ideological beliefs.

Financial relationships

Financial relationships are those relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options or other ownership interest, travel expenses or other financial benefit. Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, speaking and teaching, membership on advisory  committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities from which remuneration is received, or expected. Relationships of the person involved in the activity include financial relationships  of a close relative.

Contact

For questions about this policy, contact the Administrative Manager by email: lrudd@wfumb.org

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE FORM

 Please use the following E-Sign Conflict of Interest Form to complete and return back to the Administrative Manager.