Statement on Conflict of Interest, External Partnerships and Professional Ethics

Statement on Conflict of Interest, External Partnerships and Professional Ethics 

Lisa Dolovich, Dean, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto
Appointed Board Member, Ontario College of Pharmacists
Chair & Chief Pharmacist, Discovery Pharmacy

The mission of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy is to advance pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical science through world-leading education and research. We deliver formal education programs to train pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. Our programs are a mix of classroom and experiential training. To ensure efforts are  meeting societal and professional needs we maintain relationships with numerous external stakeholders, including public and private sector organizations. These relationships include partnering to deliver experiential placements, philanthropic donations, sponsored research, involvement of external stakeholders in activities such as guest lectures or student events or celebrations, and participation in advisory bodies.

The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, through its regular academic processes, makes all decisions around research, teaching  and scholarly activities, in accordance with the University’s fundamental commitment to academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy also carefully abides by the University of Toronto’s robust policy framework governing engagement with external stakeholders, including:

Conflicts of Interest

As set out in its, Statement on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment, the University of Toronto is “dedicated to supporting and fostering research, teaching and learning, conceptualized, conducted and reported in accordance with the highest standards of academic integrity.” The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy wholly endorses this commitment, and abides by the framework set out in that Statement.

Academic and administrative staff at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy are also bound by the University’s policy framework regarding conflict of interest, including: the Policy on Conflict of Interest – Academic Staff, the Policy on Conflict of Interest – Administrative Staff, and the Reporting Incidents of Suspected Financial Impropriety Procedure. Through these policies, academic and administrative staff are required to ensure their personal interests do not come into conflict with their responsibilities to the University.

Advisory Boards

As set out in the Provost’s Statement on the Role of Advisory Bodies, “advisory bodies create bridges of understanding and assist the University in its relations with public and professional communities”. These contributions are of particular importance at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy because part of our work includes a focus on training professional pharmacists or pharmaceutical scientists to work in a broad range of organizations following graduation. We value the expertise of members on our advisory boards to help ensure that we equip pharmacy students or pharmaceutical science students for life after graduation.

External members of advisory boards and committees are chosen for their knowledge, expertise, and experience, for their ability to provide valued counsel and guidance, and for their commitment to the purposes of the University. Advisory Boards are usually comprised of members from multiple sectors and, inherently, do not make binding decisions. The membership of each of the advisory boards at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy (including the organization each member is associated with) is transparent and set out on the Faculty’s website.

Gifts

The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy accepts philanthropic gifts that advance its academic priorities and which adhere to the Provostial Guidelines on Donations and related policies referenced in the Guidelines. The Guidelines provide that the University does not accept gifts when a condition of acceptance would compromise the University’s integrity, autonomy and academic freedom.

Sponsored Research

As noted in the University’s Statement on Research Partnerships, the University has established various policies that govern aspects of its research partnerships. The University’s research partnerships are a matter of public record, except for information which is personal or proprietary, in accordance with applicable legislation.

In conducting their research, University researchers are subject to the Policy on Ethical Conduct in Research, which articulates their responsibility to adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct in every aspect of research including applications, proposals, the research itself, reports and publications.

The Research Administration Policy requires institutional approval of third party sponsored research at the University and the approval and signing process is managed centrally by the University’s Division of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation. Research involving human participants is conducted with the prior approval and continuing oversight of the University’s Research Ethics Board (REB) to ensure adherence to ethical standards, including full disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest to the REB and research participants.

The results of research conducted at the University are freely publishable in accordance with the University’s Publication Policy. When publishing research results, the Policy on Conflict of Interest – Academic Staff requires faculty members to disclose the source of funding in the publication unless the faculty member has obtained approval to do otherwise.

Discovery Pharmacy

The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy also provides physical space to the Discovery Pharmacy, a not-for-profit, academic and accredited community pharmacy that is integrated into the health and wellness ecosystem of the University of Toronto. The mission of the Discovery Pharmacy is to advance education and research for pharmacy practice innovation in healthcare delivery, which may ultimately help people around the world to manage and get the best out of their medicines, to enhance their health, wellness, and productivity.

The Governing Council of the University of Toronto is the sole member of the Discovery Pharmacy. The Discovery Pharmacy has a Board of Directors and Board subcommittees (Executive, Research, Education, Community Pharmacy, Communications and Fundraising). As Dean of the Faculty, I serve as  Chair of the Board of Directors and Chief Pharmacist. The Discovery Pharmacy receives advice, financial support and services from members of the University Community, including the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.

Beyond these areas of engagement with external stakeholders, the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy takes seriously its responsibility to ensure pharmacy students graduate with a clear understanding of professional ethics. Pharmacy students are subject to the University’s Standards of Professional Practice Behaviour for All Health Professional Students, which includes a prohibition against exploiting the patient/client relationship for personal benefit, gain, or gratification. The Doctor of Pharmacy program, in addition, incorporates the Ontario College of Pharmacists Code of Ethics into its curriculum.