Competing interests for all guideline committee members were managed according to Hypertension Canada policies, which are informed by Guidelines International Network principles (Appendix 3, available at www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.241770/tab-related-content).100 On appointment, all members agreed to avoid direct competing interests with companies that could be affected by the guideline and provided written disclosure of all financial and non-financial interests relevant to the guideline topic. Verbal updates on competing interests were requested at the beginning of every committee meeting. The conflict-of-interest oversight committee reviewed the disclosures and made judgments about conflicts. Guideline chairs were required to be free of relevant financial competing interests throughout the guideline development process. Two committee members with potentially relevant disclosures related to pharmaceutical companies were permitted to join in the discussion about pharmacotherapy recommendations but were excluded from voting on these topics. Notably, only generic medications were discussed.
Funding came solely from Hypertension Canada, which receives its funding from the following sources: device endorsement revenue (63%); investment income (18%); certification program revenue (7%); grants and sponsorships (4%), including from a health technology company; registration fees (4%); membership dues (4%); and donations (< 1%). No funding is received from pharmaceutical companies. Hypertension Canada funded the guideline and assembled the committee; however, it had no role in developing the recommendations or supporting resources. No sponsorship was accepted for this guideline, and no companies were allowed to participate in the guideline process.