This policy has been developed in accordance with international standards and the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines on scholarly publishing management, as well as the Journal Charter of 2025.

1. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

1.1 Appointment and Terms

• Appointment: The Editor-in-Chief is appointed by the Founder (Scientific Centre for Expert Evaluation of Medicinal Products) for a 3-year term by order of the Acting General Director.
• Status: The Editor-in-Chief is a full-time employee of the Institution.
• Termination of Authority: Authority may be terminated upon personal request, by decision of the Founder, or in case of non-compliance with the journal's ethical code.

1.2 Key Duties and Responsibilities

Editorial Process Management:

• Holds final decision-making authority regarding the acceptance or rejection of all manuscripts, regardless of the Editorial Board's opinion.
• Bears personal responsibility for the quality, ethics, and content of published material.
• Oversees editorial policy and ensures its implementation.
• Defines the journal's development strategy.
• Develops the thematic focus of journal issues, considering scientific and practical significance.
• Ensures adherence to publication deadlines.

Confidentiality and Integrity:

• Guarantees the confidentiality of the peer-review process.
• Does not use information obtained from unpublished works for personal gain.

Management of Editorial Structure:

• Appoints Deputy Editor(s)-in-Chief.
• Defines the functions of editorial staff.
• Manages professional relationships among staff members.

Management of the Editorial Board:

• Chairs the Editorial Board.
• Mediates disagreements between authors, editorial staff, and Editorial Board members.

Conflict Resolution:

• Resolves disputes between authors, reviewers, and editorial staff — see section «Publication Ethics».
• Follows COPE procedures when investigating ethical violations — see section «Handling Allegations of Scientific Misconduct».
• Makes decisions regarding corrections, retractions, or article withdrawals.

Ensuring Editorial Policies:

• Oversees the implementation of the peer-review process — see section «Peer Review».
• Ensures adherence to copyright principles and academic integrity — see section «Plagiarism and Acceptable Reuse».

Publishing Functions:

• Approves each issue for publication (signs off on the final print version).
• Ensures compliance with the approved publication schedule.

External Representation:

• Promotes the journal to attract authoritative specialists, including highly cited authors.
• Acts on behalf of the Editorial Office in matters related to its activities.
• Represents the Editorial Office's interests in interactions with other organizations.

Reporting:

• Regularly reports on activities to the Founder.

1.3 Decision-Making Independence

The Editor-in-Chief makes publication decisions independently, based on the scientific quality of the manuscript, its alignment with journal policy, originality, and novelty of results, without influence from financial or other interests. The Editor-in-Chief's decision may (but is not obligated to) consider the opinions of Editorial Board members and reviewers.

2. EDITORIAL BOARD

2.1 Composition and Member Requirements

Composition:

• Editor-in-Chief (Chairperson)
• Deputy Editor(s)-in-Chief
• Editorial Board Members
• Managing Editor

Participation: All Editorial Board members serve on a voluntary basis without remuneration.

2.2 Candidate Requirements

Academic Qualifications:

• Candidate of Sciences (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Sciences (Dr. hab.) degree.
• Scientific publications in the journal's subject areas within the last 3 years (minimum 2-3 publications).
• Recognized expertise in a specific subject area.

Conflict of Interest Declaration: Candidates are required to disclose all potential conflicts of interest (e.g., membership on editorial boards of other journals, financial interests, personal or professional connections with authors/competitors). For details, see section «Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest».

2.3 Appointment Procedure

1. A candidate submits an application to the Editor-in-Chief or is recommended by a current Editorial Board member.
2. The Editor-in-Chief reviews the candidate's qualifications and potential conflicts of interest.
3. The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision on inclusion.
4. The candidate receives information about their rights and responsibilities.
5. The candidate signs an informed consent form for Editorial Board membership.

2.4 Terms

• Term: 3 years.
• Early Termination: Requires notification to the Editor-in-Chief at least 10 days in advance.

3. FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS

3.1 Primary Role

The Editorial Board serves as an advisory body providing scientific guidance for the journal.

3.2 Key Functions

• Contributing to the journal's overall concept and thematic direction.
• Participating in the development of strategic and operational development plans.
• Promoting the high-quality formation of the journal's content.
• Recommending reviewers for manuscripts.
• Monitoring the quality of peer review.
• Providing opinions on the advisability of accepting or rejecting manuscripts.

3.3 Individual Responsibilities

Publication Activity:

• It is recommended that members publish at least one article per year in the journal.
• Active participation in the development and promotion of the journal.

Peer Review:

• Attracting competent specialists to review manuscripts within their field — for details, see «Peer Review».
• Directly participating in reviewing articles within their specialty.

Confidentiality:

• Maintaining full confidentiality during manuscript consideration.
• Not using information from unpublished works for personal purposes.

3.4 Decision-Making Process

The Editorial Board provides recommendations and opinions; however, the final decision rests with the Editor-in-Chief.

3.5 Editorial Board Meetings

• Frequency: In accordance with the journal's publication schedule, but at least once every 2 months.
• Format: Hybrid (in-person attendance, online participation via conference call, or remote participation with detailed submission of opinions on agenda items).
• Quorum: More than half of the members, including the Editor-in-Chief.
• Decision-Making: By simple majority vote of attending members.
• Approval: By the Editor-in-Chief.

4. EDITORIAL OFFICE: ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS

4.1 Editorial Office Structure

The Journal's Editorial Office:
Is formed from among the full-time employees of the Institution. Editorial staff are appointed and dismissed by the Founder in accordance with the current legislation of the Russian Federation. The functions are defined by the Editor-in-Chief.

• Does not have the status of an independent legal entity and does not possess its own property, accounts, seals, or stamps.

4.2 Scope of Activities

Preparing and publishing the journal in accordance with its thematic focus, current Russian legislation, the Institution's Charter and internal regulations, and standards for periodic scientific publications.

4.3 Duties of the Editorial Office

• Contributing to the enhancement of the substantive, scientific, and professional level of publications.
• Promoting adherence to ethical standards in the publication process — see «Publication Ethics» and «Peer Review».
• Ensuring compliance with approved publication schedules.
• Respecting third-party copyrights.
• Publishing mandatory imprint information in accordance with the Mass Media Law.

4.4 Functions of the Editorial Office

• Scientific, technical, and copy editing of materials.
• Organizing and monitoring the peer-review process and manuscript revision based on reviewer comments.
• Organizing and monitoring pre-press preparation, including proofreading of manuscripts and journal layout.
• Liaising with authors, reviewers, and Editorial Board members.

5. JOURNAL FOUNDER

5.1 General Information about the Founder

The Founder of the journal is the FSBI "Scientific Centre for Expert Evaluation of Medicinal Products" of the Ministry of Health of Russia, which simultaneously acts as the publisher and distributor of the journal and holds the exclusive rights to its use.

5.2 Founder's Authority

• Approves the Editorial Charter and any amendments thereto.
• Appoints and dismisses the Editor-in-Chief.
• May entrust third parties with obligations related to publishing, production, and distribution of the journal.
• Initiates changes to the mass media registration record.

5.3 Founder's Obligations

• Compliance with the provisions of the Charter and Russian legislation on mass media.
• Timely preparation and release of the journal.
• Facilitating the work of the Editorial Office and Editorial Board.
• Providing legal and other support to the Editorial Office as necessary.
• Ensuring professional development opportunities for editorial staff.

5.4 Principle of Editorial Independence

Key Principle: The Editor-in-Chief makes decisions regarding content and publication independently of the Founder's will. The Founder:

• Does not interfere in editorial decisions to accept/reject manuscripts.
• Does not exert financial influence on the journal's content.
• Facilitates the realization of the editorial office's independence.

5.5 Material and Technical Support

The Founder fulfills the following functions:

• Financial support for the editorial office's activities.
• Material and technical support (premises, office equipment, communication means).
• Ensuring the organization of Editorial Board meetings.
• Facilitating professional retraining for editorial staff.
• Organizing cooperation with organizations in related fields.
• Promoting the journal within the professional community, including at the international level.

6. PUBLISHER AND ITS RESPONSIBILITIES

6.1 Publisher's Responsibilities

The Publisher (Founder) is obligated to:

• Adhere to requirements for scientific and publication ethics.
• Implement industry ethical standards within the editorial office's work.
• Ensure the quality of the editorial and publishing processes.

6.2 Transparency

• Provides information about journal ownership and management.
• Provides open information about changes to editorial or publishing process policies or management.

Federal State Budgetary Institution ‘Scientific Centre for Expert Evaluation of Medicinal Products’ of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (FSBI ‘SCEEMP’)