Catherine Skobe

Pharmaceutical companies fund much biomedical research, yet many journals restrict open access publishing options for peer-reviewed articles reporting commercially funded research. Expanded publishing options, such as funder-neutral publishing policies, will help address this inequity.

Open Science aims to fight misinformation and improve trust in scientific research; it encourages the reliability and accessibility of evidence, reduces inequalities through the democratisation of scientific knowledge and focuses scientific endeavours on issues of societal significance. As a multisponsor collaboration committed to driving positive change, Open Pharma has a multifaceted vision for scientific research publications funded by pharmaceutical companies (‘company research publications’) that aligns strongly with Open Science tenets. This new vision statement outlines our forward-looking principles for company research publications, both for short-term attainment (‘immediate’) and long-term commitment (‘ultimate’). Together, the principles provide a framework for positive collective action by all stakeholders involved in the development and dissemination of peer-reviewed company research publications. Underpinned by our central commitment to transparency for company research publications, we outline goals for: universal access to these publications; provision of peer-reviewed plain language summaries of the publications to aid comprehension among non-specialist readers; leveraging author and institutional metadata to advance transparency, discoverability and research impact; working towards FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse) data principles through cross-sector consensus and action, and disclosure of patient involvement in research and its reporting to support transparency and encourage a research ecosystem attuned to patient centricity. We call on all stakeholders to realise the Open Pharma Vision and achieve an open and trusted future for company research publications that will ultimately advance patient care and improve global health.

Patient engagement (PE) has evolved from an emerging concept to a fundamental ethos underpinning healthcare research and communication. In this commentary, we explore the historical evolution in medical research from patients being participants in clinical trials to becoming integral partners in communicating medical research findings. The progression from "why" to "how" PE should occur represents a fundamental shift in the medical publication landscape. We also highlight the International Society for Medical Publication Professionals' (ISMPP) journey in embracing and advancing PE within medical publications through ISMPP's initiatives and activities, including the establishment of its PE Task Force, patient membership, and support programs, while examining the cultural transformations occurring within the profession. Looking ahead, we discuss opportunities for expanding patient roles, improving accessibility to tools and frameworks, and integrating patient perspectives into leadership positions. This commentary serves as both a reflective narrative and a call to action for medical publication professionals to champion authentic and meaningful PE, ensuring publications truly engage and serve the patients at the heart of the research they describe, as exemplified by ISMPP.

(2019). Ethical obligations in an innovative world. Current Medical Research and Opinion: Vol. 35, ISMPP 2019, pp. 3-4.

It is relatively easy to begin policy documents with a general assertion that ethics will be followed. Less obvious is how to ensure that day-to-day activities are consonant with ethical standards. We suggest that using day-to-day publication activities as the driver for building policies and procedures can promote ethical practices from the ground up. Although basic principles of ethical publication practice may seem straightforward to some, for others this information may require explanation, interpretation and context. Effective policy development includes big-picture items as well as more day-to-day tactical responsibilities such as those discussed below. Research questions, disciplinary practices, applications and team structures may vary. Thus, no single publication plan or policy solution is right for all teams. It is up to team members to review guidelines for best practices and find the optimal implementation for their situations. Experts in publication management, planning and writing can help large teams manage publication activities. These experts have an obligation to maintain and enhance their skills continually. A strong acumen in publication best practices will allow these publication professionals to better address any possible ethical dilemmas in the future.

Biomedical research should include plans to communicate complete and accurate results to the scientific community and the public in a timely manner. All too often, however, such planning is lacking until after data have been generated. We developed a collaborative professional statement following review of the indexed biomedical literature and relevant professional society guidelines. Planning for publications before, during and after biomedical research studies are conducted promotes the timely dissemination of accurate and comprehensive results. Effective publication planning accounts for the work of all contributors, encourages full transparency and contributes to overall scientific integrity. Although the most obvious contribution of publication planning is to result dissemination, the best planning may also help improve the overall quality of research study design and the overall integrity of study conduct by keeping the final audience in the forefront of the investigators' attention. Publication planning can help biomedical researchers achieve and maintain high standards of transparency and integrity. Table 1 below highlights briefly some of the aspects to be included in a publication plan.