Review and Management of a Conflict of Interest
- Who Reviews the Positive Disclosures?
- How are Conflicts of Interest Managed?
- Options Used Based on the Level of Risk
- How are Investigators Notified of the Outcome of the Review?
Who Reviews the Positive Disclosures?
The Conflict of Interest Oversight Committee (COIOC) is comprised of faculty from throughout the campus and the UCI Medical Center and is advisory to the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR). The COIOC considers a number of factors to determine the seriousness of the conflict, and whether and how the conflict can be managed. It can recommend approval of a disclosure, which means an award can be accepted. It can also recommend the reduction or elimination of a financial or other interest when one or more potential risks exist. And, it can recommend that certain actions be taken to manage the conflict of interest.
The COIOC also reviews positive disclosures that are referred by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) to evaluate whether the potential conflict of interest is considered harmful.
The COIOC meets once a month and is supported by staff who work with the Committee and investigators to ensure proper compliance. Visit the COIOC Committee Deadline and Meeting Schedule.
How are Conflicts of Interest Managed?
The COIOC advises the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) on the seriousness of the potential conflict and, when necessary, whether and how the conflict can be managed. Sometimes the COIOC recommends that certain actions be taken to manage the conflict of interest in order to preserve objectivity in the design, conduct or reporting of research.
Options Used Based on the Level of Risk
- Level 1
- Normal process of disclosure at time of application and project completion, annually or as new reportable interests occur.
- Level 2
- Normal process of disclosure.
- Annual supplemental reporting to the COIOC by the individual who has the conflict.
- Level 3
- Normal process of disclosure
- Appointment of a third party to investigate and periodically report to the COIOC and VCR.
- Public disclosure in publications and presentations of interest in a sponsoring or related entity.
- Level 4
- Normal process of disclosure.
- Appointment of ad hoc committee to investigate and report periodically to the COIOC and VCR.
- Public disclosure in publications and presentations of interest in a sponsoring or related entity.
How are Investigators Notified of the Outcome of the Review?
The investigator will receive an approval memo via e-mail from the COIOC Chair and the Vice Chancellor for Research. If the award is approved with conditions by which to manage the potential conflict of interest, they will be noted in a memo from the VCR. A copy of the memo will be sent to the department administrator. If the investigator under review is not the principal investigator (PI), then the PI will also receive copies of the memoranda.
