This blog summarizes the major provisions of the second NPRM, which is focused primarily on harmonizing language, definitions, and informed consent requirements in 21 CFR 50—Protection of Human Subjects, and on harmonizing provisions around continuing review, IRB review generally, and IRB membership, in 21 CFR 56—Institutional Review Boards. Read more
In June, the FDA issued a draft guidance, "Enhancing the Diversity of Clinical Trial Populations—Eligibility Criteria, Enrollment Practices, and Trial Designs." The issuance of this guidance satisfies a mandate of the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 (FDARA), and builds on other recent efforts by the FDA to broaden eligibility criteria for clinical trials and avoid unnecessary exclusions. PRIM&R submitted comments on the guidance this week, and we wanted to share them with you and encourage you to consider submitting your own comments on this important topic—the FDA is accepting comments until August 6. Read more
In March, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a guidance, "Cancer Clinical Trial Eligibility Criteria: Minimum Age for Pediatric Patients." The guidance is one of the latest moves by the agency to expand eligibility criteria, and hence the knowledge base for how drugs work in various populations, for the clinical trials they regulate. It makes recommendations not only for sponsors but also for IRBs. On May 13, PRIM&R submitted comments in response to the draft guidance. PRIM&R also has an upcoming webinar, Pediatric Risk Determination: IRB Considerations and Cases, on Thursday, September 19 that will review considerations for IRBs in assessing the risks and benefits of pediatric studies. Read more
PRIM&R recently submitted comments in response to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s draft guidance "Considerations for Inclusion of Adolescent Patients in Adult Oncology Clinical Trials," which was published in the Federal Register on June 4, 2018.
We applaud the draft guidance’s recommendation that adolescent patients with cancer be enrolled in disease- and target- appropriate adult oncology research, provided certain conditions are met. Presently, adolescents with cancer need to [...] Read more
PRIM&R recently submitted comments in response to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s draft guidance "Pregnant Women: Scientific and Ethical Considerations for Inclusion in Clinical Trials," which was published in the Federal Register on April 9, 2018. PRIM&R suggests a few areas for further clarification, but generally applauds the agency for taking this important step to fill current regulatory gaps around the inclusion of pregnant women in FDA-regulated clinical trials and ultimately believes that the draft guidance will be of great benefit to relevant stakeholders, including industry, IRBs, and research subjects. Read more
