
		Charter
		White Paper
		Contact Details
		Members' Area

Definitions:

Informatics is the collective term used to describe the disciplines of information science, information management and information technology and fully embraces other related terms such as information systems and information services.

The term "Life Science community" is used to embrace all those organisations that contribute to the discovery, development, registration, manufacture, marketing, sales and distribution of chemical or biological therapeutic entities. Such organisations would include but not be limited to:
academic centres, biotechnology companies, discovery boutiques, pharmaceutical companies, medical device and diagnostic companies, contract organisations such as research, sales and manufacturing, agrochemical companies, nutraceutical companies, specialist value adding organisations such as pharmacovigilance service providers, vendors, consulting firms and national competent agencies.

Special Interest Groups are run under the aegis of the PRISM Forum. SIGs comprise a collection of individuals from different companies with relevant backgrounds who are invited to contribute a wide spectrum of knowledge and opinion on an issue of topical interest. The output of a SIG is normally a presentation to the PRISM Forum and potentially a subsequent White Paper.

Scope and Mission of

The Pharmaceutical Information Systems Management Forum -
known as 'The PRISM Forum'

Scope

The scope of the PRISM Forum embraces all informatics of value, or of potential value, to the Life Science community .

Mission, Membership and Meetings

The mission of the PRISM Forum is to:

share pre-competitive information and best practices concerning informatics supporting the Life Science community, with a focus on R&D but taking a wider view when necessary or desirable.
define requirements for standards to support information exchange between and across the Life Science community.
The PRISM Forum is open to individuals able to represent their organisations with respect to the above scope of PRISM by invitation.
It meets normally twice a year, once in Europe and once in the USA.
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) may be organised on agreed issues of topical relevance and are normally scheduled to overlap with and report directly to PRISM Forum meetings.
Special Events may be organised as appropriate.

Code of Conduct

Meeting Participation
Be accountable.
Operate with integrity.
Honour diversity of the participants.
Be willing to share pre-competitive information in a timely manner.
Strive for common understanding.
Loyalty to the absent.
If you choose to send a delegate to the meeting they hold your "proxy".

Information Confidentiality

Information should only be shared prudently at your company and all company specific data must be masked.
Protect confidentiality and treat other company's information as you wish them to treat yours.
Current membership of the PRISM Forum entitles the member to full access to all documentation from PRISM Forum meetings, SIGs, and Special Events.
Invited attendees of SIGs or paying attendees of Special Events who are not members of PRISM are entitled to the documentation relevant to that particular event.

Between Meeting Commitments

Meet agreed commitments and deadlines.
Respond promptly to communications from other members.

Outcomes

Enhanced peer contacts and personal networking.
Determine best demonstrated practices and experiences.
Identify trends in the technology and business.
Personal development.

Governance

The Steering Group is to be comprised of no more than two, voting, paid-up members from each organisation present at each meeting of the Forum.
The Steering Group should agree budgetary guidelines annually.
The Chairman and Executive Secretary should be elected annually.
All meetings of the PRISM Forum (including, but not limited to, SIGs and Special Events) should be agreed by the Steering Group and coordinated by the Chairman and the Executive Secretary.
The Chairman and Executive Secretary should be able to co-opt such administrative support as deemed necessary.

Cost

Membership of The PRISM Forum is subject to a fee. The membership fee entitles members or their proxies to attend the usual two meeting per year.
The membership fees, academic and industrial, will be assessed annually by the chairman and secretary and approved by a majority of the representatives at the Steering Group.
Additional meeting fees may be levied for extraordinary events, meetings and special interest group meetings to cover the costs associated with running such meetings.
Any Additional fees will be agreed in advance by the chairman and secretary and approved by a majority of the voting representatives of the Steering group.

Revised 7th November 2003