The AGS ensures that the following decisions are made free of the control of an ineligible company. The ACCME defines an "ineligible company" as those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
- Identification of CME Needs
- Determination of educational objectives
- Selection and presentation of content
- Selection of all persons and organizations that will be in a position to control the content of the CME
- Selection of educational methods
- Evaluation of the activity.
The AGS CME department supports this policy by ensuring that all content development is free from commercial bias. The planning process for educational activities is the responsibility of the specific Planning Committee which is selected by the AGS, and is overseen by the Professional Education Executive Committee. All decision making lies with the AGS planning committees including the following processes:
- Identification of needs
- Selection of faculty
- Selection of Course Chair/Planning Committee
- Selection of Objectives and Content
- Selection of Methods and Evaluation
All decision making ultimately lies with the AGS. An ineligible company cannot take the role of non-accredited partner in a joint sponsorship relationship.