Conflicts of Interest (COI) Policy

1. Definition of Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest (COI) arises when an individual’s professional judgment, decision-making, or actions in their role as an author, reviewer, or editor are influenced or appear to be influenced by personal interests, relationships, or financial interests that could compromise the objectivity of their work. A COI can involve financial, personal, professional, or academic interests.
At International Journal of Pharmacy and Life Sciences (IJPLS), we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity, transparency, and objectivity. All potential conflicts must be disclosed and managed to ensure the credibility and trustworthiness of the journal's publications.

2. Author Conflict of Interest

  • Disclosure Requirement:
    Authors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest at the time of manuscript submission. This includes, but is not limited to:
    • Financial support for the research (e.g., grants, funding, or sponsorship)
    • Employment or consulting relationships with organizations that may have an interest in the article
    • Shareholdings or financial interests in organizations related to the research topic
    • Personal relationships (e.g., familial or personal ties) that might reasonably be seen to influence the content of the manuscript
  • Types of Conflicts to Disclose:
    • Financial Conflicts: Any financial relationship that could be perceived as a conflict of interest, such as funding from pharmaceutical companies, research grants, consultancy fees, or equity in relevant companies.
    • Personal Relationships: Any personal relationships with individuals or organizations that might influence or be perceived to influence the content or outcome of the research.
    • Academic Conflicts: Close professional relationships, such as collaborations, or direct competition, which might bias the interpretation of research or findings.
  • Statement of Conflict:
    Authors must include a clear statement of their conflicts of interest in the manuscript, typically in the acknowledgment section. If no conflict exists, authors should explicitly state, “The authors declare no conflicts of interest.”

3. Reviewer Conflict of Interest

  • Disclosure Requirement:
    Reviewers must disclose any personal, professional, or financial interests that might bias their evaluation of a manuscript. Reviewers are expected to refrain from reviewing manuscripts where they have any potential conflict of interest that could compromise their impartiality.
  • Examples of Conflicts for Reviewers Include:
    • Having a personal or professional relationship with the author(s) of the manuscript (e.g., working in the same institution or collaboration).
    • Receiving financial support or compensation from an organization with a direct interest in the paper’s outcomes.
    • Previous or current academic competition with the author(s).
  • Exclusion from Reviewing:
    If a reviewer identifies a conflict of interest or is unsure, they must inform the editorial office immediately. The journal reserves the right to reassign the manuscript to another reviewer if the disclosed conflict could reasonably affect the review process.
  • Confidentiality:
    Reviewers are also bound by confidentiality and are not permitted to share or use any information from the manuscript for personal or professional gain.

4. Editorial Conflict of Interest

  • Editor Disclosure Requirement:
    Editors (including associate editors) are also required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could affect their impartiality during the editorial decision-making process. Editors must recuse themselves from handling any manuscripts where they have a conflict of interest, and another editor will take responsibility for the article.
  • Examples of Editorial Conflicts:
    • Personal or professional relationships with the authors of the manuscript.
    • Financial relationships with organizations related to the research topic.
    • A history of direct academic competition or collaboration with the authors.
  • Impartial Decision-Making:
    Editors must ensure impartial decision-making in the handling of manuscripts and take appropriate steps to avoid bias. Any conflicts of interest must be disclosed before making editorial decisions, including those related to rejection, acceptance, or requests for revisions.

5. Managing Conflicts of Interest

  • Transparency in Publishing:
    All conflicts of interest must be declared publicly and transparently. Any manuscript that has been flagged for a potential COI will be reviewed to ensure that the issue is adequately addressed, and any bias is minimized.
  • Resolution:
    If a conflict of interest is identified after publication, the journal will issue a correction or retraction if necessary. Any conflicts of interest reported after a manuscript has been published will be assessed by the editorial team, and the appropriate course of action will be taken.
  • Ethical Responsibility:
    Authors, reviewers, and editors are encouraged to act in the best interest of scientific integrity. When conflicts of interest arise, they should be handled in a manner that upholds transparency and trust in the journal’s content and publication process.

6. Non-Disclosure of Conflict of Interest

  • Consequences of Non-Disclosure:
    Failure to disclose conflicts of interest by authors, reviewers, or editors may result in the rejection of a manuscript, withdrawal of a published paper, or disciplinary actions. The journal reserves the right to take corrective action if any undisclosed conflict of interest compromises the integrity of the research or the peer review process.

7. Contact Information for Conflict of Interest Queries
For questions regarding conflict of interest disclosures, or if you wish to discuss potential conflicts, please contact the editorial office at:

Email: [editor@ijpls.com]