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CHAPTER 4

DECLARATION OF INTEREST POLICY

4. INTRODUCTION

A conflict of interest (COI) may arise when a person or organization involved in

HTAIn have multiple interests, personal, professional, commercial or otherwise, in a
particular HTA study. COI arises a risk of influence the study, its recommendation

and hence the decision-making. COI may not always, in and of itself, be evidence of

wrongdoing. However, it is important to manage all COI, in order to ensure that the

recommendations of the HTAIn are perceived to be free from external influences and

to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.

4.1. Types of interests (Identifying the conflict)

i. Non-financial (Competition) – An interest other than financial interest such as

reputation, career advancement, goodwill etc. that could directly/ indirectly

influence the design, conduct, results or reporting of an HTA study including the
outcomes and recommendations. These COI could be personal or non-personal.

 Non-financial personal interest: If a member of HTAIn, Stakeholders or

associated committees (TAC/ TP/ Regional Resource Hubs/ Board) or their

relatives may gain or appear to gain any career advancement, name or

reputation.
 Non-financial non-personal: It may emerge if any HTAIn, Stakeholders or

associated committees are a part of any firm or organization or having any

social or political connections with anyone (close acquaintances) that may gain

or appear to gain in terms of advancement of reputation, career or

opportunities.
ii. Financial – A financial interest is anything of monetary value being or appear to

gain by any of the HTAIn member or Stakeholders. It could directly and

significantly affect the design, conduct, results, reporting and recommendation of

an HTA study. It is again of two types: personal and non-personal.

 Financial personal: If a member of HTAIn and associated committees or his
close relative(s) have or appears to have a direct financial benefit from any

recommendation and affect the course of study, results and outcomes. If a

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