US FDA Offers More Advice On Mid-Trial Changes For Pandemic-Impacted Studies

A protocol amendment is not needed to pause enrollment to decrease potential exposure to COVID-19, and virtual visits can be immediately implemented to ensure safety; experts say pandemic is forcing a rethinking in how companies carry out trials and in how regulators ensure patient safety and trial integrity.

Shetland Sheepdog in agility slalom. Sized to fit for cover image on popular social media site.
High-level regulatory guidance is allowing sponsors to take an agile approach to mitigating trial impacts. • Source: Shutterstock

The US Food and Drug Administration is out with more advice for biopharma companies on managing protocol amendments and reporting protocol deviations for clinical trials impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A protocol amendment is not needed to pause enrollment in a trial to decrease potential exposure to COVID-19, because such...

Pink Sheet Podcast

Learn what's happening at the US FDA. On the go.

Derrick Gingery and the team bring you a weekly "Drug Fix".

More from Clinical Trials

More from R&D

  • India Tightens Oversight Of CROs With Mandatory Registration

     
    • By 

    Contract research organizations (CROs) in India must gear up to comply with new registration requirements coming into effect in April 2025 that aim to enhance the quality and integrity of clinical trials, as well as of any bioavailability and bioequivalence studies conducted by them.

  • Clinical Trial Diversity Action Plans Need Timely FDA Feedback, Groups Say

     
    • By 

    The agency also should explain the potential consequences for sponsors if enrollment goals are not met, stakeholders say in comments on the DAP draft guidance. Some commenters urged the FDA to apply waiver criteria flexibly, especially for rare diseases.

  • How To Decarbonize Pharma R&D

     

    As the planet heats up and sea levels rise, the need to reduce carbon emissions is becoming ever more urgent. The life sciences industry is just one of many that are looking to cut the carbon it produces.