Three Recent Cases of Falsifying Data in Clinical Trials

6/15/2021

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A sub-investigator and an assistant coordinator working at a clinical research site in Florida pleaded guilty to conspiring to falsify clinical trial data. The two stated in their pleas that they conspired with others to make it appear that study participants were enrolled in and participating in two clinical trials when in fact the study data added to the medical records was fabricated and they did not participate in the clinical trials. Sentencing for this case occurs in August.

FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Signature Waiver for Form FDA 1572

6/08/2021

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a draft information sheet guidance “Frequently Asked Questions Statement of Investigator (Form FDA 1572)” as an update to the same titled guidance document from 2010. It provides clarification on when a waiver can be requested when an investigator outside the US cannot or will not sign a Form 1572. The purpose of the Form FDA 1572 is to collect applicable information from the investigators and sub-investigators at clinical research sites to verify they have the appropriate experience and background to conduct the clinical trial. Signing the 1572 is an agreement to conduct the clinical trial according to the applicable FDA regulations while protecting the safety and rights of the study participants and the quality of the data.

ICH E6(R3) Draft Principles Published

5/25/2021

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The International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) released draft ICH E6(R3) Principles. ICH E6 Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guideline is the blueprint for clinical trials ensuring subject safety and data quality and it specifies the processes needed for study conduct and documentation to comply with the guideline and regulatory requirements. The last revision occurred in 2016. Since then, clinical trials are increasingly complex and in electronic formats, requiring updates to the GCP guideline to ensure its agility to meet the challenges of modern clinical trials.

FDA Takes Action on Unreported Study Results; First Notice of Noncompliance

5/18/2021

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires sponsors to register and report results to ClinicalTrials.gov (Clinical Trials Registration and Results Information Submission Final Rule). The purpose of listing and reporting in the public database is to increase transparency and increase scientific understanding, thus allowing others to build on knowledge already gained rather than duplicating work that may be unnecessary. If these requirements are not met, the FDA has authority to take enforcement action.

FDA Issues Final Rule: Software as Medical Device Classification Regulation Update Aligns with Cures Act

5/11/2021

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule that changes the classification of some software so that it no longer is regulated as a medical device. The rule was needed to align with updates required by the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act). The Cures Act amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) to remove certain software from being classified as a medical device, including software used: