NAPNAP Corporate Relations Policy

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Policy for Developing and Managing Corporate Relationships

Introduction

The purpose of this policy is to guide the development and management of corporate relationships, which are intended to increase the capacity of NAPNAP through support of its mission of promoting optimal health for children through leadership, practice, advocacy, education, and research. "Corporate relationships" shall be defined as transactions in which NAPNAP receives some benefit from an external entity, either as direct support or as part of a collaborative program.

General Principles

1. The proposed activity must be congruent with NAPNAP's mission, vision, core values, and strategic direction themes and goals.

NAPNAP's mission, vision, core values, and strategic direction themes and goals must determine whether a proposed external relationship is appropriate for the association. NAPNAP shall form relationships or alliances with corporations only when their principles, policies, and actions are not in conflict with NAPNAP or represent an illegal activity.

2. Any relationship must promote confidence in NAPNAP and pediatric nurse practitioners.

Corporate alliances that could undermine the public's confidence in NAPNAP or pediatric nurse practitioners are unacceptable and shall be avoided. For example, no alliance shall be established that might compromise the scientific integrity of any health publication produced or distributed by NAPNAP.

3. NAPNAP's objectivity with respect to health issues involving children and their families shall not be biased by any external relationships.

NAPNAP shall accept funds or services from external entities only when there is no conflict of interest for the association, its members, staff, volunteers, or programs. For example, an exclusive relationship with a corporation that produces a health-related product marketed to children or families could negatively impact NAPNAP's objectivity and public image in promoting child and family health.

4. Any decision to engage in a corporate alliance will be based on a risk/benefit analysis.

NAPNAP's staff shall prepare a written analysis with respect to any corporate alliance. The analysis shall fully inform the NAPNAP Executive Board of potential benefits and risks to the association. Potential risks to be evaluated include, but are not limited to, legal liability, financial impact, public relations impact on NAPNAP's image and credibility, and risk of confusion between NAPNAP's message and that of the external entity.1. The proposed activity must be congruent with NAPNAP's mission, vision, core values, and strategic direction themes and goals.

Guidelines

1. NAPNAP provides health information for children, families, and the general public, but will not endorse, produce, sell, or market any product that claims a health benefit.

Endorsing, producing, selling, or marketing products or services claiming a health benefit would undermine NAPNAP's objectivity and produce a conflict of interest when educating children, their families, and the general public about pediatric health.

2. NAPNAP shall utilize the best practice of funding projects from multiple sources whenever possible to avoid exclusivity in its relationships.

To avoid the risk of undue influence from a single external funding source, multiple sources of funding for projects shall be located whenever possible. For example, patient education materials shall be produced with the support of multiple funding organizations to avoid product bias. For some activities that have great potential benefit, low risk and where multiple funding organizations are unlikely to be identified, single-source funding may be a reasonable alternative.

3. Alliances shall not permit influence on NAPNAP by the corporate partner.

To avoid possible influence on NAPNAP policies and strategic directions, the agreement between NAPNAP and a corporate partner shall provide that the alliance shall not entitle the corporate partner access to NAPNAP decision-makers.

4. NAPNAP shall have control over any products or projects that bear its name or logo.

The use of the NAPNAP name, logos, or identifying marks will be permitted only with NAPNAP's express prior written consent. NAPNAP shall retain editorial control over any collaboratively produced information or publications.

5. Funds obtained from corporate sponsors shall not be used for political advocacy activities.

NAPNAP's political advocacy efforts shall not be funded by corporate alliances. NAPNAP shall not advocate for a political issue because it has received funding from an external entity that has an interest in the issue.

6. Sponsorship from an external entity does not imply endorsement by NAPNAP.

Participation in sponsoring a NAPNAP program does not imply NAPNAP's endorsement or approval of the sponsoring corporation's general policies, products or services. NAPNAP will not exert any influence to advance the interests of the corporation nor shall the use of NAPNAP's logos imply endorsement. Sponsoring entities shall be required to disclose the fact that appearance of NAPNAP name or logo in conjunction with their products or services does not constitute endorsement of those products or services by NAPNAP. Further, NAPNAP members shall be informed that the expertise of a sponsorship relationship does not preclude their use or recommendation of the products or services of a competing supplier.

7. Materials must include a statement of relationship.

When NAPNAP is involved in a corporate relationship, a statement defining the relationship between NAPNAP and the external entity and/or product must be published in accompanying materials. Examples of the proclaimer include:

A. This program was developed through an educational grant from 123 Company, maker of 456 product.
B. 123 Company is a proud sponsor of this NAPNAP event.
C. This program is funded as a public service by 123 Company.
D. Sponsored by 123 Company

8. All corporate relationships must be approved by the Executive Board.

An initial impact analysis prepared by National Office staff is required prior to the approval of any corporate relations agreement. Risk management and legal review and recommendations shall be obtained prior to contractual agreement. Analytical reports of the agreement are required during the term of the agreement at intervals to be determined by the NAPNAP Executive Board.

9. Royalties may be received.

NAPNAP may receive a royalty from a corporate sponsor in exchange for the granting the sponsor the right to use NAPNAP intellectual property. If a corporation sponsors a NAPNAP program, royalties should cover all or part of the sponsored program.

10. Materials review and approval are required.

All statements, graphics, or other materials for use in conjunction with a corporate relationship referencing NAPNAP, its logos, publications or messages are subject to review and written approval by NAPNAP prior to use.

11. Disclosure shall be provided upon request.

Unless prohibited by contract, NAPNAP will disclose the character of a corporate relationship, including any and all financial benefit, to any member upon request for same. Requests by non-members will be referred to the Executive Committee and may be granted or denied at the discretion of the Executive Committee. All requests must be in writing, must include the identity and affiliation of the person making the request, and must be made for a proper purpose, which purpose must be set forth in the request.

12. Special considerations are required for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

Special scrutiny, including consideration of regulatory guidelines, must be applied where prescription and over-the-counter drugs and medical devices are involved to avoid unintended endorsement, suggestion of product superiority, or bias for or against a specific product.

13. Advertising in publications shall be clear.

Periodicals, newsletters, meeting programs and other media may include paid advertisements. If it is not readily apparent that the message has been paid for by a commercial entity, the message must be labeled clearly as a paid advertisement.

14. Prior external corporate support shall be honored.

Rights previously agreed upon with external entities that are inconsistent with this policy shall unless capable of being terminated, be honored for the period of time for which they were originally granted. All agreements entered into after the effective date of this policy must comply with this policy.

15. The privacy of individuals shall be protected.

NAPNAP shall have written guidelines that will protect the privacy of individuals that participate in its corporate relations activities and/or programs.

16. Continuing education activities shall be independent of corporate bias.

NAPNAP shall maintain complete control over the content and speakers at any corporate sponsored NAPNAP activity. Corporate sponsors shall not control the planning, content, or execution of the educational activity. Sponsors shall not influence the content or faculty of NAPNAP programs, except that NAPNAP may ask a sponsor to suggest reference materials and knowledgeable speakers. NAPNAP shall follow established standards for commercial support of continuing education.

17. Indemnification shall be provided by corporate sponsor.

A corporate sponsor must agree to appropriate indemnification and hold harmless contractual provisions to protect NAPNAP, its officers, directors, staff, and members against any liability that may arise out of the sponsor's acts or omissions with respect to a particular arrangement, including but not limited to, any acts or omissions relating to the marketing, sale, dissemination, or use of its products.

18. Oversight shall be provided by NAPNAP Executive Board.

NAPNAP shall have Board-approved written policies for corporate relationships, including procedures for review and approval of corporate relationships and for ongoing review and evaluation of such relationships. NAPNAP shall develop and maintain a mechanism to assure compliance with this Policy for Developing and Managing Corporate Relations by its chapters as well as by the national association. NAPNAP shall have a written agreement with any external entity prior to implementation of a corporate relationship.

Approved by the Executive Board September 27, 2007