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About the IPCRG

Endorsement Policy

  1. Purpose

    This policy is meant to help guide decision-making about endorsements. It is intended to help the IPCRG come to a logical, thought-out conclusion about whether or not to endorse a particular initiative based on a set of criteria. There may be exceptions not covered by this policy.

  2. Scope

    This document deals with requests from both not-for-profit organizations and corporations. Among the initiatives the IPCRG might be asked to endorse are:

    • Books or other printed resources and publications
    • Videos
    • Conferences (may be asked for support or sponsorship rather than endorsement)
    • Educational programs
    • Guidelines

    The IPCRG does not, in general, consider requests to endorse commercial products. If there is a particular situation where IPCRG has been a collaborator or it is particularly innovative and addresses a need that has already identified eg medication compliance the specific situation will be referred to the IPCRG Executive.

    There is a separate sponsorship policy that should be read in conjunction with this endorsement policy.

  3. Definition of endorsement

    In this document, endorsement is understood to mean overall support for an initiative or product based on a thorough review. In the case of programmes or educational resources, an IPCRG endorsement implies that the IPCRG agrees with the information being communicated.

  4. Criteria for IPCRG endorsement

    • There must be demonstrable benefit to the patient target group by endorsing the initiative.
    • There must be a relationship to primary care in the product.
    • There must be demonstrable benefit to the IPCRG or its members by endorsing the initiative.
    • Before any agreement is signed, there needs to be a written understanding about ownership, copyright and intellectual property.
    • There must be adequate time for an expert IPCRG group or appointed individual to review the material and make changes to the information following review.
    • If the initiative is a tool that purports to have scientific credibility, all data regarding this should be supplied and subject to peer review.
    • The IPCRG will consider requests to endorse specific initiatives, not entire organisations.
    • The IPCRG should be able to verify the credibility of the organisation making the request.
    • If appropriate, the organisation should be able to provide information about marketing and sponsorship.
    • If the initiative involves commercial sponsorship, the IPCRG should measure the sponsor against the criteria in its Sponsorship Policy.
    • The initiative must be consistent with the IPCRG values and mission.
    • The project should preferably have international scope.
    • The goals of the initiative should be clear.
    • The request for endorsement should define what is expected from the IPCRG, and what IPCRG can expect from the organisation. (For example, if the IPCRG endorses a publication or resource, we might want to negotiate a re-selling agreement to make the product available to our members, if appropriate).
    • In the case of long-term endorsements (more than one year), the IPCRG will require periodic review of the materials/project, at an interval agreeable to both organisations.
    • If the endorsement is for a publication, the IPCRG should see and approve the final artwork and this should be repeated if there is any agreement to any further print-runs or subsequent editions.

  5. Process

    • The Secretariat will notify the organisation making the request that it is being considered.
    • The Executive Committee will review requests for endorsement and, if appropriate, recommend an IPCRG group (committee or ad hoc group) to review the materials.
    • When the appropriate IPCRG expert(s) have completed their review, their recommendations will be forwarded to the Executive Committee for consideration. The Executive can then make a recommendation to the Board of Directors to either accept or turn down the request.
    • The Executive Officer will let the organisation know of the decision, and (in the case of a positive decision) make any necessary arrangements involving use of the IPCRG name and logo.

  6. Use of IPCRG name and logo

    • All use of the IPCRG name and logo must be approved by the IPCRG. All draft materials must be reviewed by the IPCRG before printing.
    • If a local group wishes to incorporate the IPCRG logo into its own, the proposed logo must be approved by the IPCRG Executive.
    • IPCRG Executive approval must be sought if local groups wish to use the IPCRG logo alongside their own.
    • If the IPCRG agrees to have its logo appear, it must be printed in its official colours (P301 (blue) and P185 (red) and Stone Sans font) or black.
    • The IPCRG will provide the appropriate graphics files.
    • Precise wording will depend on the nature of the project, but could include "endorsed by the IPCRG", "supported by the IPCRG" or "produced in partnership with the IPCRG."
SW
20 December 2004
Approved: 26th January 2005

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