FDA Issues Guidance on "Impact of Certain Provisions of the Revised Common Rule on FDA-Regulated Clinical Investigations"

FDA is announcing the availability of a guidance entitled “Impact of Certain Provisions of the Revised Common Rule on FDA-Regulated Clinical Investigations.”

The revisions to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS’) Federal Policy for Protection of Human Research Subjects (45 CFR 46, Subpart A; “the Common Rule” or “2018 Requirements”) have created certain differences between FDA’s human subject regulations and HHS’ human subject regulations.  While FDA intends to undertake rulemaking to harmonize, to the extent practicable and consistent with other statutory provisions, its regulations with the 2018 Requirements consistent with Section 3023 of the 21st Century Cures Act, we recognize the potential for confusion in the interim for sponsors, investigators, and IRBs who are involved in both HHS-regulated research and FDA-regulated clinical investigations. This guidance is intended to clarify the impact of certain provisions of the 2018 Requirements on FDA-regulated clinical investigations.

This guidance clarifies that certain provisions of the 2018 Requirements related to informed consent are not inconsistent with FDA’s current policies and guidances.  The guidance also reminds stakeholders that FDA’s current regulations for expedited review and continuing review must be followed for FDA-regulated studies.

This guidance is now available on FDA’s website at:  https://www.fda.gov/downloads/RegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM623211.pdf