ISPOR Code of Ethics 2017 (4th Edition).

Area of Science:

• Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR)
• Bioethics
• Research Integrity

Background:

• ISPOR, the leading professional society in HEOR, has a responsibility to set international ethical standards.
• The previous Code of Ethics was established in 2008 and requires updating to reflect the current research landscape.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the updated ISPOR Code of Ethics, harmonizing international standards for ethical conduct in HEOR.
• To provide comprehensive guidance on acceptable and unacceptable research practices throughout the research lifecycle.

Main Methods:

• The updated code is structured into nine chapters, covering ethical principles, research design, data considerations, and more.
• It incorporates international guidelines and introduces new sections on patient centricity and engagement.

Main Results:

• The revised code addresses key areas including ethical principles (respect, beneficence, justice), data privacy and transparency, sponsorship, and publication ethics.
• A new chapter emphasizes patient centricity and patient engagement in HEOR research.

Conclusions:

• The updated ISPOR Code of Ethics provides a robust framework for ensuring ethical conduct in HEOR research.
• This revised code aims to maintain public trust and scientific integrity in the field of HEOR globally.