Joint MLA/AAHSL statement on Journal Publishing Ethics

[Karen Albert <karenalbert48@gmail.com>]

The following was recently approved by both MLA and AAHSL. As 
Chair of the Medical Library Association's Ad Hoc Committee 
Advocating for Scholarly Communication, I'd be glad to answer any 
questions about this.

<http://www.icmje.org/index.html#author>

*Statement on Journal Publishing Ethics:  A Joint Response from 
the Medical Library Association and the Association of Academic 
Health Sciences Libraries to Recent Disclosures about Unethical 
Practices

June 2009

In view of recent news reports regarding the publication of an 
industry-sponsored journal primarily for marketing purposes by 
the affiliate of a major medical publisher without disclosure of 
commercial support or publication purpose, the Medical Library 
Association (MLA) and the Association of Academic Health Sciences 
Libraries (AAHSL) jointly endorse the need for transparency with 
regard to publication source and funding.  MLA and AAHSL want to 
emphasize the importance of journal publishers' adherence to the 
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICJME) policy 
that all participants in the peer-review and publication process 
must disclose all relationships that could be viewed as potential 
conflicts of interest: 
<http://www.icmje.org/index.html#authorship>>

Notably, the National Library of Medicine has a relevant policy 
regarding supplements that requires full disclosure of outside 
sponsorship in order for publications to be indexed in MEDLINE: 
<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/supplements.html>

We expect publishers to remain vigilant about revealing 
sponsorship relationships to uphold and support integrity and 
honesty in research and the scientific dissemination process.

MLA is a nonprofit, educational organization, comprised of health 
sciences information professionals and institutions with more 
than 4,000 members worldwide.  Through its programs and services, 
MLA provides lifelong educational opportunities, supports a 
knowledgebase of health information research, and works with a 
global network of partners to promote the importance of quality 
information for improved health to the health care community and 
the public.

AAHSL is composed of the directors of 116 libraries of accredited 
U.S. and Canadian medical schools, as well as 28 associate 
members.  AAHSL's goals are to promote excellence in academic 
health sciences libraries and to ensure that the next generation 
of health practitioners is trained in information seeking skills 
that enhance the quality of healthcare delivery.

Karen Albert, MLS, AHIP
Senior Director for Education and Information Services
Talbot Research Library
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Phila., PA 19111
karenalbert48@gmail.com
karen.albert@fccc.edu
215-728-2711