Industry Relations

The primary missions of the School of Medicine are to provide outstanding educational programs for medical and graduate students and trainees; to provide the highest standard of clinical care for patients; to develop outstanding, knowledgeable physicians and scientists who serve the community and the world; and to conduct innovative and collaborative research and integrate this knowledge into the practice of medicine. The School of Medicine is committed to ensuring that its faculty, staff, students, and trainees strive for the highest degree of ethical and professional standards in carrying out its missions. As part of this commitment, the School supports principled relationships with industry in which its faculty, staff, students, and trainees collaborate with industry on advances in science and medicine that enhance Emory’s missions and are beneficial to the public.

Industry has a long history of collaboration with academic medicine that has contributed to our educational, clinical, service, and research missions. These partnerships have often benefitted individual and public health through the development of new drugs, devices, equipment, computer technology, therapies, and services. For example, industry provides grants to Emory University to fund clinical trials and other research conducted by faculty; and faculty consult with industry to advise on research directions and health needs.

The primary intent of this policy is to support faculty, staff, students, and trainees in effectively engaging in relationships with outside entities. The individual, the School and University can work together to enhance the beneficial outcomes of personal external relationships and to prevent situations that might create actual or perceived conflicts of interest and might harm the public, the institution, or the individual. View the entire policy.

Emory SOM students:

• May not accept gifts from industry, on or off the Emory campus (pens, pads, cash, food and drink, entertainment, books, software, etc.). Travel expenses are also considered a gift, and therefore prohibited.
• May not accept donations of medications.
• Must not disclose information regarding clinical trials of medical devices or drugs to any outside entity.
• Must not provide advice or training to industry regarding selling, marketing, or promoting of a company’s products.
• May not receive remuneration for listening to sales talks or attending industry-sponsored education and training.
• May be part of interactions between industry representatives and faculty that concern research being done by the faculty member and industry, as long as the meeting does not include sales, marketing, or promotion.
• Must cooperate with inquiries from Emory administrative offices regarding compliance with these policies.
• Submit proposals for personal, external professional relationships with industry and other entities to the Dean for review and approval prior to engaging or receiving compensation for the activities.

Additional regulations in this policy include:

• Commercial Exhibits are prohibited in School of Medicine Buildings.
• Any book or educational material that is recommended by a faculty member who has a financial interest in the book or material must be approved by a committee formed by the faculty member’s chair.
• Faculty presentations to School of Medicine students and residents should disclose all their personal, professional financial relationships with industry in each presentation.

Any violation of this policy by a student will be considered unprofessional behavior and will subject the student to actions by the appropriate Progress and Promotions Committee or by an ad hoc Conduct Committee appointed by the Executive Associate Dean for Medical Education and Student Affairs.