Compliance

Newsflash: compliance programs are only effective when they're being put into practice. Having a paper compliance program is no kind of defense... just like claiming to be abstinent while acting otherwise didn't keep Bristol Palin from her latest pregnancy. And like Ms. Palin, some will find there are consequences of SAYING you're adhering to the compliance program but not walking...

Medical device firms have long loaned hospitals their equipment rent free with the understanding that the institutions will give them a certain amount of business in other areas. While this business model is pervasive in the health care industry and has generally gone unchallenged, it may in fact be a form of bribery. The risks with this arrangement are many,...

An effective compliance program is predicated on trust; without employees' trust in their compliance officer, the compliance function is unlikely to be regarded seriously. This is especially true in Latin America, where building strong relationships and engaging staff face to face is of utmost importance. No "tick box" compliance programs welcome here.

Baseball's St. Louis Cardinals are being investigated by the DOJ and the FBI for allegedly hacking into the Houston Astros' database. You read that right. One of the National League's best performing teams was after the secrets of one of the worst teams in the League. In a world where successful entities attempt to steal data from their least viable...

The fact that the question is even asked means the answer must not be evident. In his latest white paper, Tom Fox takes on the FIFA scandal and its implications for all of us.

Companies can derive significant value from human capital management (HCM) compliance systems, but relatively few have HCM technology solutions in place. Many that do rely on too many tools. The general consensus is that most organizations could benefit from better systems in order to simplify human capital management and drive efficiencies.

Following a lawsuit filed against the FDA by pharmaceutical manufacturer Amarin, the agency responded last week in a letter addressing the complaint. Amarin alleges that the FDA has overstepped its bounds, restricting the company's right to free speech in its promotion of off-label uses for Vascepa. The FDA has countered, but it seems they're not speaking the same language.

Complex compliance strategies may sound sophisticated, but do they belie a the CCO's own self-importance? When it comes to compliance, perhaps simpler is better. The objective is straightforward; so should be the plan for getting there. If our strategies are too involved, we run the risk of losing stakeholders' understanding and buy-in...

A number of legislative changes and judicial decisions were made in 2014 that have significant implications for the workplace, and the news hasn't always brought clarity to the question of compliance. Human resources staff and compliance practitioners will need to work together to ensure their employees understand the changes and the company remains blameless in enforcing them.

Pharma companies' promotion of their products for off-label use has to date met with legal action from the FDA, but that may change. Last month, Amarin Corporation filed a complaint against the FDA, contending that its First Amendment rights were impinged upon. The forthcoming ruling in this case could mean huge benefits for the pharma industry.

Some of the best lessons on compliance, risk, anti-bribery, and anti-corruption measures aren't found among GRC experts at all, but outside of this sphere. Here, Richard Bistrong explores several illuminating works that have direct application for the compliance practitioner. Compelling reads, all, they just might cause you to look at your methods a little differently.

Which do you want to hear first? It seems the role of the CCO has gained steadily in influence, but there's progress to be made yet. CCOs must be viewed and treated as business partners in their organizations, which means they've got to make building relationships with other business partners a priority. Having strong relationships certainly helps to mitigate risks.