RAD 303 10 Things That You Should Know About the NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation Bill McBlain, PhD University of Alberta NIH “Designated Official” “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 1 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. It exists! When it was implemented! The UofA is compliant! There are things to do to be compliant with the Regulation! There are a few important definitions! The “Disclosure Report” differs from the “Disclosure and Consent Form!” There are time-lines for on-going compliance! Records must be kept! Aspects of the Regulation are open to interpretation! NIH FCOI Requirements must be met before Research Facilitators (RFs) or the Research Services Office (RSO) Central, Sign-Off! Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 10 things you should know about the NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 2 1. It exists! “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 10 things you should know about the NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation: #1 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 3 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #1 cont’d What is it? • Published in 2011, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Regulation (“Final Rule” of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services [HHS]) provided an update to the predecessor 1995 NIH FCOI Regulation. • On August 25, 2011, HHS entered into the Federal Register (Vol. 76, No. 165, Part IV), the Final Rule “Responsibility of Applicants for Promoting Objectivity in Research for which Public Health Service [PHS] Funding is Sought and Responsible Prospective Contractors” (42 CFR Part 50 Subpart F for grants and cooperative agreements and 45 CFR Part 94 for contracts, respectively). • http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/coi/ “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 4 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #1 cont’d Purpose of the Regulation • "This regulation promotes objectivity in research by establishing standards that provide a reasonable expectation that the design, conduct, and reporting of research funded under NIH grants or cooperative agreements will be free from bias resulting from Investigator financial conflicts of interest." “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 5 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #1 cont’d Application of the Regulation • The Regulation applies to all members of the University community who are applying for and/or receiving funding from or participating in a research project funded by NIH and/or other PHS sources HHS and/or any other research-funding source which has adopted the HHS Final Rule at 42 CFR Part 50 Subpart F and 45 CFR Part 94. “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 6 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #1 cont’d Other agencies are adopting this Regulation: • U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) • Agency for Health Care Research & Quality (AHRQ) • U.S. Department of National Defense • American Heart Association • American Cancer Society • Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation • Etc. … and others in the future … “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 7 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 2. When it was implemented! “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 10 things you should know about the NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation: #2 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 8 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #2 cont’d Implementation: • August 24, 2012 • All applications and Notices of Award (NOAs) after that date must be compliant “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 9 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 3. The UofA is compliant! “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 10 things you should know about the NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation: #3 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 10 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #3 cont’d • The UofA added a NEW Procedure to its Conflict Policy in order to be in compliance with the Regulation: • https://policiesonline.ualberta.ca/PoliciesProcedures/Procedures/Co nflict-of-interest-for-NIH-Public-Health-Service-and-Health-andHuman-Services-Funding-Procedure.pdf “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 11 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #3 cont’d UofA Conflict Policy and its Procedures Conflict Policy – Conflict of Interest & Commitment and Institutional Conflict (Policy) NEW Conflict of Interest & Conflict of Commitment Reporting & Assessment Procedure Research Services Office Together we make it happen Managing Conflict of Interest in Employment Procedure Conflict of Interest for National Institutes of Health (NIH), Public Health Service (PHS) and Health and Human Services (HHS) Funding Procedure Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 12 #3 cont’d The NIH/PHS/HHS Procedure has Forms linked to it for: • Disclosure and Consent Form for Significant Financial Interests of Investigator • Disclosure and Consent Form for Significant Financial Interests of Spouse of Investigator • Disclosure and Consent Form for Significant Financial Interests of Dependent Child of Investigator “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 13 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #3 cont’d • The University of Alberta is included in the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) Institutional Clearinghouse list of institutions compliant with the new NIH/PHS/HHS Regulation. • http://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/fdp/PGA_070596 “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 14 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 4. There are things to do to be compliant with the Regulation! “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 10 things you should know about the NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation: #4 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 15 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #4 cont’d “To Do” List (Partial) for Compliance: • Appointment by Institution (UofA) of a “Designated Official” • Training of “Investigators” • Investigators’ Disclosure of Significant Financial Interests (SFIs) • Determination if SFI is related to the research • If so, determination if SFI constitutes a Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) • Written agreements for sub-grants “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 16 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #4 cont’d UofA Designated Official Bill McBlain, PhD NIH Designated Official & Conflict Review Officer (Interim) 2-51 South Academic Building (780) 246-6887 bill.mcblain@ualberta.ca “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 17 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #4 cont’d Training of Investigators: Content • NIH FCOI Regulation • UofA Policy and FCOI Procedure • Disclosure of SFIs When • Prior to NIH-funded research • Every four years, and • If: o FCOI Procedure changes o Investigator new to UofA o Investigator non-compliance “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 18 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 5. There are a few important definitions “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 10 things you should know about the NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation: #5 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 19 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #5 cont’d Conflict of Interest • “A situation in which there is OR may be perceived to be a divergence between the private financial benefit or financial interest or personal benefit of a person, family member, or an outside party, and that person’s obligations to the University, such that an impartial observer might reasonably question whether related actions to be taken or decisions made by the person would be influenced by consideration of the person’s own interests.” “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 20 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #5 cont’d “Investigator” • "... means the project director or Principal Investigator and any other person, regardless of title or position, who is responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of research funded by the NIH, or proposed for such funding, which may include, for example, collaborators or consultants.” …where “responsible for” = degree of independence. “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 21 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #5 cont’d NOTE: Depending on their role in the project, the following people, amongst others, could be Investigators: • Students/Post-Doctoral Fellows • Technicians • Research Associates • Project Managers • Study Nurses • Third parties from whom you purchase services “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 22 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #5 cont’d “NIH/PHS/HHS” • National Institutes of Health (NIH) and/or other Public Health Service (PHS) sources and/or Health and Human Services (HHS) and/or any other research funding source which has adopted the US Department of HHS Final Rule at 42 CFR Part 50 Subpart F and 45 CFR Part 94…. (Other funding sources which have adopted the aforementioned HHS Final Rule include those listed by the US Federal Demonstration Partnership.) “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 23 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #5 cont’d “Significant Financial Interest (SFI)” • A Financial Interest of the Investigator (or spouse or dependent child[ren], as applicable), that reasonably appears to be related to the Investigator’s Institutional responsibilities. • The rest of the SFIs definition is too long and detailed for this slide presentation! • There are also exclusions to disclosure. (Please see the Procedure for more information) Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 24 #5 cont’d “SFI” cont’d - Some summary points: • For publicly traded entities, there is an annual aggregated minimum threshold of $5,000 for disclosure of the listed types of remuneration, equity interests, etc. • For non-publicly traded entities (e.g., many spin-off companies), there is the same $5,000 minimum threshold for the disclosure of remuneration but this threshold does not apply to equity interests which must be reported regardless of real or estimated value. • Any reimbursed or sponsored (see definition) travel related to the Investigator's Institutional Responsibilities must be disclosed if the aggregated monetary value exceeds $5,000 per entity paid to the specific Investigator in the previous 12 months. “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 25 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #5 cont’d “SFI” cont’d - Exclusions from disclosure (brief summary): 1. Salaries and other remuneration from the UofA (the "Institution"). 2. Income from investment vehicles (e.g., mutual funds) where the Investigator does not control the investment decisions. 3. Reimbursed/sponsored travel, income from seminars, etc., and/or for service on advisory/review panels when the source of funding is a US federal, state, or local government agency, a US institution of higher education, a US academic teaching hospital, a US medical center, or a US research institute that is affiliated with a US institution of higher education. 4. Income from seminars, lectures, teaching and/or income from service on advisory committees, review panels, etc., when the source of funding is a non-US equivalent of the entities listed in #3 above, and where the annual aggregated monetary value paid to the individual Investigator per entity is less than $5,000. Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 26 #5 cont’d A Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) • “A significant financial interest (SFI) that could directly and significantly affect the design, conduct, or reporting of NIHfunded research.” • An FCOI is very often a good thing! • e.g., in the case of Commercialization/Spin-Off Companies “…from bench to bedside and back again…” “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 27 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 6. The “Disclosure Report” differs from the “Disclosure and Consent Form”! “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 10 things you should know about the NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation: #6 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 28 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #6 cont’d • The UofA “Disclosure Report” is submitted in compliance with the Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment Reporting and Assessment Procedure. • The UofA “Disclosure and Consent Form” is submitted in compliance with the Conflict of Interest for NIH/PHS/HHS Funding Procedure (“The Procedure” for this presentation) “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 29 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #6 cont’d Conflict Policy – Conflict of Interest & Commitment and Institutional Conflict (Policy) Conflict of Interest & Conflict of Commitment Reporting & Assessment Procedure Disclosure Report Form Managing Conflict of Interest in Employment Procedure Conflict of Interest for NIH/ PHS/HHS Funding Procedure Disclosure and Consent Form Linked from the end of The Procedure Research Services Office Together we make it happen “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 30 #6 cont’d UofA requirements: • The Disclosure Report requests information on non-financial conflicts of interest, 2. financial conflicts of interest, 3. conflicts of commitment, and 4. other conflict. 1. • The Disclosure Report is submitted to the “Reporting Officer”. “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation • The Disclosure and Consent Form is submitted to the UofA “NIH Designated Official”. 31 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #6 cont’d For both the • “Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment Reporting and Assessment Procedure” and the • “Conflict of Interest for National Institutes of Health (NIH), Public Health Service (PHS) and Health and Human Services (HHS) Funding Procedure”… … Disclosure is the key step … “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 32 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #6 cont’d The Disclosure and Consent Form includes: 1. Disclosure of SFIs for compliance with the NIH Regulation, and 2. “Consent for Collection and Disclosure of Personal Information,” for UofA compliance with Alberta’s “FOIPP Act” (for cases where an SFI is reviewed by NIH or when a Financial Conflict of Interest declaration must be declared to the NIH and made accessible to the public). “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 33 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 #6 cont’d Disclosure of SFIs • Most Investigators complete the Disclosure and Consent Form(s) on-line and then save, print, initial, and sign them prior to scanning and e-mailing a PDF version to the UofA Designated Official: • bill.mcblain@ualberta.ca Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #6 cont’d • Principal Investigator (PI) must ensure that all research team “Investigators” who will work on the NIH/PHS/HHS-funded research project are also trained and have disclosed SFIs for themselves (and their spouse and dependent children, if applicable) and have granted consent for the release of such information. “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 35 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #6 cont’d • Disclosure and Consent Forms for the Investigator’s Spouse and Dependent Child(ren), as applicable, must be submitted regardless of whether the spouse/dependent child(ren) holds Significant Financial Interests. “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 36 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 7. There are time-lines for on-going compliance! “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 10 things you should know about the NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation: #7 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 37 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 #7 cont’d • Disclosures of SFIs • At the time of application • Within 30 days of acquisition of a new SFI • Annually • Declarations of FCOIs to NIH • Prior to expenditure of funds • Within 60 days of their identification • Annually … all with a Management Plan 38 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #7 cont’d New NIH Requirements Added to UofA Procedures UofA • No requirement to report to any external body • No training obligation UofA/NIH • Reports provided to NIH for FCOIs, management plans, noncompliance, retrospective reviews & mitigation activities • Training obligation prior to being engaged in NIH-funded research, every 4 years, and under other designated circumstances “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 39 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #7 cont’d New NIH Requirements Added to UofA Procedures UofA • No requirement for public accessibility to FCOI information UofA/NIH • NIH requires that the following be publicly accessible on a website: • FCOI Policy • The following must be on a web site or publicly accessible by written response within five (5) business days: “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation • FCOIs (including specified details) for senior/key personnel 40 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #7 cont’d • For FCOIs, information to be made publicly accessible. • For “senior/key personnel,” the following information is included: • • • • • Investigator’s name Investigator’s title and role with respect to research project Name of entity in which the SFI is held Nature of the SFI Approximate dollar-value (range) or statement that the SFI is one whose value cannot be readily determined through reference to public prices or other reasonable measures of fair market value “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 41 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 8. Records must be kept! “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 10 things you should know about the NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation: #8 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 42 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #8 cont’d • PDF electronic file of Disclosure and Consent Forms for Investigators (and spouse/dependent child[ren], as applicable). • WORD/EXCEL document for each Principal Investigator, summarizing SFIs of the PI + other Investigators on the research team (along with those of the spouse and dependent child[ren], as applicable). “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 43 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #8 cont’d • Some numbers (approximate), to date: • Investigators trained • Disclosure and Consent Forms: • • • • • Principal Investigators Other Investigators Total (including those for spouses and dependent children) SFIs FCOIs “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 44 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 9. Aspects of the Regulation are open to interpretation! “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 10 things you should know about the NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation: #9 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 45 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #9 cont’d • NIH Notice NOT-OD-13-004 • “…within the discretion afforded by the Final Rule, impose the $5,000 de minimis threshold to reimbursed or sponsored travel disclosure…” “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 46 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #9 cont’d At the UofA, we will apply the de minimis $5,000 threshold for disclosure exclusions to: 1. reimbursed/sponsored travel, as well as to 2. income from seminars, lectures, or teaching engagements, and 3. income from service on advisory committees or review panels. (where the latter two are funded from a government, post-secondary Institution, or health sciences centre source and the annual aggregated amount paid to the specific Investigator per entity does not exceed $5,000 – details to follow …) “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 47 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #9 cont’d U15 Letters • Interpretation of • “a Federal, state, or local government agency, an Institution of higher education as defined at 20 U.S.C. 1001(a), an academic teaching hospital, a medical center, or a research institute that is affiliated with an Institution of higher education.” • NIH FAQ: Must be U.S. entities! • NIH asked to re-consider this interpretation “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 48 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #9 cont’d NIH Reply to U15 • Exclusion is based in United States Code, 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) • “Approach discussed in the Notice … should provide the most flexibility with the least amount of administrative burden” “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 49 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #9 cont’d Interpretations • NIH Notice NOT-OD-13-004 • U15 Letters • FOIPP (Third Party consent, if needed, to be handled by Designated Official) Revised UofA Procedure (June, 2013) “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 50 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 10 things you should know about the NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation: #10 10. NIH FCOI requirements must be met before Research Facilitators, or the Research Services Office Central, sign-off! “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 51 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #10 cont’d UofA Designated Official ensures that: 1. Training is completed and that 2. Disclosure and Consent Forms have been submitted … typically confirmed via a communication with RF/RSO “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 52 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #10 cont’d Steps for Compliance with the Procedure Training Disclosure of SFIs Investigator Research Services Office Together we make it happen Designated Official’s Review of SFIs: Related to Research? FCOI? No FCOI: Disclosure filed; no further action FCOI Exists: • Declaration • Management Plan • Report • Records Designated Official Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 53 #10 cont’d Please remember: • Financial Conflicts of Interest (FCOI) are very often a good thing! • e.g., in the case of Commercialization/Spin-Off Companies “…from bench to bedside and back again…” “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 54 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 #10 cont’d Also remember the “1984” NIH FCOI Regulation: • HHS authority applies before, during, or after an award with regard to any Investigator disclosure of financial interests, regardless of whether or not the disclosure resulted in the Institution’s determination of an FCOI. “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 55 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 NIH FCOI Regulations Framework Disclosure of SFI Compliance with Institutional Policy Investigator Compliance with Regulations Reporting to NIH Institutional Policy Implementation Evaluation of SFI Identification of FCOI Management Institution PHS regulation 42 CFR Part 50, Subpart F and 45 CFR Part 94 Research Services Office Together we make it happen NIH Oversight “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 56 Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 10 11 things you should know about the NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation: #10 11 11. Working with the UofA NIH Designated Official requires a prepayment in the currency of cookies and/or chocolate! “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 57 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013 Online Evaluation Form • We appreciate your help in evaluating this presentation! • The RAD evaluation form is accessible online. Click here or click on the blue checkmark below (right-click the hyperlink(s) and click Open Hyperlink to activate). “Top 10” Research Administration Day 2013 NIH 2011 FCOI Regulation 58 Research Services Office Together we make it happen Research Administration Day June 5, 2013