Declare relevant relationships
Reviewers and decision-makers declare relationships with the applicant, product and relevant competitors for each assignment. These include employment, consultancy, investments, research funding, licensing, close personal relationships and disputes.
Resolve conflicts before access
A person with a direct financial interest, current applicant relationship or another material conflict is replaced. Borderline relationships are considered by an unconflicted programme authority. Access to private evidence begins only after clearance.
Preserve the expertise the entry needs
A replacement reviewer must cover the same professional role. Each entry retains three distinct reviewers and a separate chair. Work on another IAHPM award involving the same product must also be declared.
Keep appeals independent
People who made the original decision cannot decide an appeal against it. The appeal is assigned to unconflicted people with the expertise needed to examine the specific grounds.
Keep purchases outside the decision
Reviewer pay cannot depend on positive outcomes or orders. Reviewers do not receive optional-order details as part of assessment. A purchase must not change priority, ratings, the citation, publication or award status.
Raise an independence concern
If you believe a relevant relationship has not been disclosed, or have experienced pressure to pay for an outcome, report the facts and any relevant reference. Use the appeal process for a material error in your decision.