Pink Sheet, Scrip, Medtech Insight, In Vivo, Generics Bulletin and HBW Insight cover the business, science, policy and regulation of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technology and consumer health. Our publications are funded by subscriptions. The trust of our readers is our primary commercial and editorial asset.
This statement sets out the principles that govern how we report, edit and publish. It applies equally across all six titles and to every member of our editorial team.
1. Our Editorial Independence
Independence from commercial interests
Our journalism is produced independently of any commercial relationship. Advertisers, sponsors, exhibitors and event partners have no influence over our editorial decisions, including what we cover, how we frame it or what conclusions we reach. Access to advertising inventory, sponsorship packages or conference platforms does not confer any editorial benefit, nor does its absence invite any editorial disadvantage.
Our sales and marketing teams operate separately from our newsrooms. Journalists do not participate in commercial negotiations, and commercial staff do not participate in editorial planning.
Independence from ownership and investors
Our parent company and any investors in our business do not direct, approve or review editorial content before publication. We are not obliged to reflect the commercial or strategic interests of our ownership in our coverage. Our editors hold final authority over all published content, and that authority is not delegated upward for commercial reasons.
Reporting on our parent company and related investors
Where we report on our parent company Norstella or related entities or investors, we take care to avoid bias.
2. Conflicts Of Interest
We expect all editorial staff and contributors to disclose any financial interest, professional relationship or personal connection that could create, or be perceived to create, a conflict of interest with the subject matter they are covering.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Holdings in pharmaceutical, biotech, medtech or consumer health companies
- Advisory, consulting or board relationships with organizations in our coverage universe
- Employment history that is recent and relevant to a specific assignment
- Close personal relationships with individuals at companies being covered
Disclosed conflicts are reviewed by a senior editor. Depending on the nature and severity, the editor may reassign the story, require disclosure within the published piece, or both. We do not publish work where a conflict cannot be appropriately managed.
Undisclosed conflicts that come to light after publication will be addressed transparently, including through corrections or editorial notes where appropriate.
Media engagements, interviews and conferences
Our journalists regularly participate in industry conferences, media interviews, panel discussions and other external engagements. We consider this a legitimate and valuable part of covering our sectors: these spaces provide access to decision-makers, emerging research and informed debate that serves our readers directly.
When participating in any such engagement, our editorial staff represent their own expertise and analysis. They do not speak on behalf of commercial partners, sponsors or the organizations hosting the event.
Participating in an external event does not create an obligation, editorial or otherwise, to the organizing body. Hosts and sponsors have no influence over what our journalists say, write or choose not to cover.
Travel and hospitality
On occasion our journalists may accept reasonable travel and accommodation costs from third parties, typically in connection with press events, site visits, clinical conferences or other industry gatherings where direct attendance is editorially justified and self-funding is not practicable.
The acceptance of such arrangements does not constitute an endorsement of the host organization, nor does it create any editorial obligation. Organizations that meet the cost of a journalist’s attendance have no influence over whether or how coverage results, what angle is taken or what conclusions are reached: our editorial judgment remains entirely independent.
Journalists are required to declare any accepted travel or hospitality to their editor in advance. Where relevant and in the reader’s interest, we will note within published coverage that travel or accommodation was provided by a third party.
3. Advertising, Sponsorship And Paid Content
Paid content, including sponsored reports, surveys and roundtable recordings, is always clearly labelled as such. It is produced under separate commercial arrangements and does not carry the editorial endorsement of any of our titles. When paid content appears in or alongside our publications, readers will always be able to distinguish it from our independent journalism.
We do not accept payment in exchange for news coverage, interview access, favorable framing or the suppression of critical reporting.
4. Use Of Artificial Intelligence
Our industry publications cover sectors in which accuracy, precision and sourcing carry significant weight. Our approach to AI reflects that standard.
What we do
- AI tools may be used by the editorial team for research assistance, transcription, translation, summarization of background material, editing support, text-to-audio and article metadata (for example, subject tags).
- Any data, statistics, clinical claims, regulatory positions, attributed statements or other information derived or suggested by AI are verified independently against primary sources before publication.
- Where AI has played a meaningful role in the drafting or production of a piece, we will say so.
What we do not do
- We do not publish AI-generated articles without substantial editorial authorship, verification and accountability.
- We do not use AI to fabricate sources, quotations or data.
- We do not use AI to produce coverage in a way that obscures human editorial responsibility for what is published.
We expect standards and tools in this area to evolve. Our AI policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary.
5. Accuracy, Corrections And Accountability Standards Before Publication
Standards before publication
Claims in our reporting are verified before publication. Where findings are contested or preliminary, we say so. We distinguish between established fact, expert opinion and speculation. We do not publish allegations against named individuals or organizations without giving those parties a fair and reasonable opportunity to respond.
Corrections policy
We correct errors promptly and transparently. When a factual error is identified in published content, we will:
- Correct the error in the published piece as quickly as possible
- Append a clearly dated correction note explaining what was wrong and what the correct information is
- In significant cases, notify subscribers of the correction directly
We do not silently amend published articles (unless minor spelling, punctuation or formatting errors require correction). Correction notes are permanent parts of the published record.
Complaints and editorial feedback
Readers, sources and subjects of our coverage may raise concerns about accuracy, fairness or editorial conduct with our editorial teams. We take such concerns seriously and aim to respond substantively. Contact details for our editorial team are published on our website.
Where a complaint cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant, we will explain our reasoning clearly and, where appropriate, consider publishing a right of reply.
6. Source Protection
We recognize that whistleblowers, employees and insiders in the pharmaceutical, biotech, medtech and consumer health industries sometimes take significant personal and professional risk to bring important information to light. We take our duty to protect confidential sources seriously.
Journalists at our publications do not reveal the identity of confidential sources without explicit consent from those sources. This commitment holds even in the face of legal or commercial pressure.
7. Diversity And Equality
In our newsrooms we are committed to equal opportunities in recruitment, development and progression for all editorial staff and contributors, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background or any other characteristic. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or exclusionary behavior within our editorial operations.
In our coverage we recognize that there have been inequalities in research funding, clinical trial representation and access to treatment, as well as in leadership representation in our industries. We are committed to covering these disparities honestly. We will report on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion within our coverage sectors with the same independence and skepticism we bring to all other subjects.
8. Norstella Editorial Code Of Conduct/AI Policy
Our journalists abide by the editorial code of conduct and AI policy covering all editorial materials published by Norstella products and publications. We do not publish information that we cannot verify or prove to be truthful.