The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a nationwide, not-for profit association of geriatrics health care professionals, research scientists, and other concerned individuals dedicated to improving the health, independence and quality of life for all older persons.
The AGS promotes high quality, comprehensive and accessible care for America’s older population, including those who are chronically ill and disabled. The organization provides leadership to health care professionals, policy makers and the public by developing, implementing and advocating programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy. [1]
The Society develops programs, products and services to advance its mission. These activities are funded through 1) revenues generated from membership dues and other Society programs and publications, 2) foundation grants, and 3) grants from corporate sponsors. The following guidelines are intended to ensure a clear, consistent and ethical policy governing the Society’s corporate arrangements. The AGS Board of Directors is responsible for establishing the principles and guidelines governing AGS’s relationships with commercial organizations. The AGS Executive Vice President is responsible for the review and recommendation for approval by the Board of Directors of each specific arrangement against the above principles and appropriate guidelines. For the purposes of these guidelines, corporate arrangements shall mean transactions in which the AGS receives funds from a commercial organization and the AGS’s name and logo are used in connection with a company, product, or service.
- When appropriate and desirable, the AGS participates in nonexclusive corporate arrangements to support activities that advance the AGS’s mission. Any proposed arrangements must be reviewed and approved by the AGS Board of Directors to ensure that acceptance of such funds would have no potential influence on AGS’s programs or policies or conflict with the association’s goals.
- The AGS will align only with commercial organizations that manufacture and/or distribute high quality products and/or services through sound business and ethical practices.
- The AGS prohibits corporate influence over Society products, policies and/or positions.
- The AGS will accept funds or royalties from corporate sponsors only when such acceptance does not pose a conflict of interest and has no negative impact on the objectivity of the AGS’s activities, its members, programs, or employees.
- Participation in a specific corporate arrangement does not in any way imply the AGS’s approval or endorsement of any corporate policies, nor does it imply that the AGS will advocate on behalf of any corporate entity. The AGS’s name and logo may not be used in a manner that would express or imply an AGS endorsement of the corporation or its policies.
- The AGS will provide recognition of corporate support in AGS publications and other appropriate forums, and AGS corporate arrangements will be disclosed regularly as part of organization’s financial reporting to the Board of Directors. No product endorsements may be made part of such recognition.
- The AGS reserves the right to review and approve all marketing materials bearing the AGS’s name and/or corporate identity in compliance with these guidelines.
- The AGS retains editorial control over any information produced as part of a corporate arrangement. In every case, all materials in print, broadcast, or electronic media prepared by the corporate entity must be submitted to the AGS for approval in writing prior to release.
- Whenever possible and feasible, the AGS seeks funding for programs from a variety of sources. It is understood, however, that occasions may arise when support of a specific event, publication, or service from a single source is appropriate. The AGS will exercise special caution so that in circumstances when single support is granted, the AGS avoids conflicts of interest and guards against any perception of conflict of interest.
[1] Mission and Goals Statement of the American Geriatrics Society.