TAG ARCHIVES FOR human subjects research

18
Sep2019

The International Conference of Harmonization (ICH), which is made up of the regulatory bodies and pharmaceutical trade associations of key drug developing countries, recently released their  revised “E8(R1) General Considerations for Clinical Studies” document. On September 16, PRIM&R submitted comments approving of ICH’s work to modernize their guidelines and suggesting that the document could benefit from a better discussion of the broad ethical principles that underlie many of the human subject protections the document details. We also recommend that the ICH consider reorganizing some of its guidelines to make it easier for those designing and conducting research to learn more about these fundamental ethical principles and related best practices. If you are based in the United States, we encourage you to consider submitting your own comments on the newly revised E8 document before the September 30 deadline. You are welcome to cite or quote PRIM&R’s comments. Read more

3
Sep2019

Some of the most significant changes in the revised Common Rule involve the provisions around informed consent, including the new requirement that informed consent begin with a “concise and focused presentation of key information that is most likely to assist a prospective subject or legally authorized representative in understanding the reasons why one might or might not want to participate in the research” [46.116(a)(5)(i)]—the “key information requirement,” for short. I welcome the key information requirement and think it has the potential to greatly improve informed consent, but it is bringing with it several complexities. Read more

5
Aug2019

Enthusiasm for data sharing and research transparency has grown across the social sciences. This newer scholarly imperative has begun to overlap with the long-standing mandate to minimize risks for human subjects in research. IRBs play a crucial role in this realm, as the IRB’s recommendations on a social science research protocol will often determine whether or not the data obtained through the study may be shared in the future. IRBs are tasked with assisting and educating social scientists to include the appropriate elements, language, and procedures in their protocol materials in order for researchers to approach data sharing in an ethical and responsible manner. Read more

13
Jun2019

In April, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a discussion paper, "Proposed Regulatory Framework for Modifications to Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML)-Based Software as a Medical Device (SaMD).” The paper represents FDA’s response to the growing number of medical device manufacturers who are utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to continuously improve their products. On June 3, PRIM&R submitted comments in response to the discussion paper, thanking the FDA for their consideration of the public health implications of the use of these technologies, but also cautioning that any new regulatory approach in this area must address the protection of individuals whose personal information and data are being used in the creation and ongoing testing of these technologies. Read more

11
Jun2019

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