Guideline J: Sponsorship
1. For the purpose of this Guideline, Sponsorship is a financial or in-kind contribution provided to a Provider to support the development, design, delivery, promotion, or Program Evaluation of a Learning Activity/Conference/Regularly Scheduled Series. Sponsorships may be:
1.1 Restricted or directed – provided with the stipulation that the funds be used for a specific/targeted/directed Learning Activity; or
1.2 Unrestricted – made available with general or no stipulations regarding their use (e.g., support for a Conference, allowing the Provider to determine the use of the funds).
2. The Provider will maintain independent control over all aspects of the design, development, registration, delivery, and Evaluation of the Learning Activity.
2.1 To achieve this independent control, the Provider will undertake the following decisions and activities without any influence by the Sponsor:
2.1.1 Identification of the learning needs of pharmacy professionals;
2.1.2 Determination of Learning Objectives;
2.1.3 Selection or development of the program content;
2.1.4 Hiring and compensation of all persons and organizations (e.g., Authors, presenters, expert reviewers) that influence the program content;
2.1.5 Selection of educational methods; and
2.1.6 Arrangements for registration of learners;
2.1.7 Hosting of the event (e.g., control over the online platform or learning management system, oversight at an in-person event);
2.1.8 Collection and analysis of participation evaluations; and
2.1.9 Maintenance of the participation files.
2.2 The Provider may receive or locate information from any source, including the Sponsor, but will exercise independence from the Sponsor, and overall due diligence to ensure:
2.2.1 The validity and reliability of the information received or located;
2.2.2 That all evidence located or received is reviewed and critically appraised to ensure the appropriateness and application of the information to the Learning Activity; and;
2.2.3 That Standard 3 (Balanced, Evidence-based, Fair and Objective) and Standard 6 (Disclosure/Conflict of Interest) are met.
2.3 All interactions between Providers and Sponsors will be conducted in an open and transparent manner and be guided by a Sponsorship agreement that outlines the respective roles and responsibilities of the Sponsor and Provider and ensure the Provider’s independent control over all aspects of the Learning Activity.
2.4 The Provider will ensure that Sponsorship funds are used solely for educational purposes and that neither the funds nor the Learning Activity are used to promote the specific interests, preferences, opinions or positions of the Sponsor or any other Commercial Interest.
2.5 Providers may allow Sponsor representatives to introduce speakers at a live Learning Activity. The introduction may mention the Sponsor’s name but may not mention a product (drug, service, device or technology) of the Sponsor.
2.6 Providers must ensure that Sponsor representatives attending a live Learning Activity identify themselves to the facilitator or chairperson, and their presence is made known to participants.
