| The credibility
of GPnotebook depends on both its actual and perceived editorial
independence and, as such, all editorial decisions are made
based on the sole criterion of merit. Advertising is carried
on the site but the process of selling and placing advertisements
is managed at strict arms’ length by UBM Medica plc.
All such advertising is sold purely on the basis of page impressions
and all advertisements are randomly placed on particular pages
i.e. there is no option available for advertisers to seek
to place a specific advertisement alongside related content.
The following principles are in place to protect editorial
independence and should be borne in mind at all times by all
authors:
- Editorial decisions should always be based purely on merit
and not influenced in any way by any actual or potential
funding body.
- The advertising sales process is conducted by UBM Medica
plc ’s sales team at strict arms’ length from
the editorial process. Authors remain unaware throughout
of which advertisements are being sold and to whom.
- Authors are strongly discouraged from taking payments
or other inducements from parties such as pharmaceutical
companies who have, or may be perceived to have, an interest
in influencing the content of GPnotebook. All authors should
complete a Statement of Competing Interests and update this
on an annual basis. It is each author’s responsibility
to update this document in the event of any material change
in their competing interests. Completed Statements of Competing
Interests for all authors will be published on the website.
The declaration of a relevant competing interest shall not
disqualify an author from writing on a particular topic
but all declared competing interests shall be borne in mind
by the Editor-in-Chief when allocating topics to authors.
Each author's statement of competing interests can be found
on their respective biography pages.
- No member of the authoring team should have any direct
contact with clients regarding opportunities to advertise
on the GPnotebook site. Any such queries should be referred
to UBM Medica plc’s sales team without further debate
or discussion.
- Where feedback relating to specific content is received
from a commercial or other organisation that may have a
vested interest in influencing that content, the merit of
their submission will be assessed according to the same
principles of rigour applied to all primary sources of evidence.
The fact the submission has emanated from an organisation
that is a current or potential advertiser shall have no
bearing on editorial decisions.
Document prepared November 2011.
Due for review November 2012. |
