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INFORMATION SHEET

"Off-Label" and Investigational Use Of Marketed Drugs, Biologics, and Medical Devices Guidance for Institutional Review Boards and Clinical Investigators January 1998

Final
Issued by:
Guidance Issuing Office
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Office of the Commissioner, Office of Clinical Policy and Programs, Office of Clinical Policy, Office of Good Clinical Practice

Good medical practice and the best interests of the patient require that physicians use legally available drugs, biologics and devices according to their best knowledge and judgement. If physicians use a product for an indication not in the approved labeling, they have the responsibility to be well informed about the product, to base its use on firm scientific rationale and on sound medical evidence, and to maintain records of the product's use and effects. Use of a marketed product in this manner when the intent is the "practice of medicine" does not require the submission of an Investigational New Drug Application (IND), Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) or review by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). However, the institution at which the product will be used may, under its own authority, require IRB review or other institutional oversight.

Investigational Use of Marketed Drugs, Biologics and Medical Devices

The investigational use of approved, marketed products differs from the situation described above. "Investigational use" suggests the use of an approved product in the context of a clinical study protocol [see 21 CFR 312.3(b)]. When the principal intent of the investigational use of a test article is to develop information about the product's safety or efficacy, submission of an IND or IDE may be required. However, according to 21 CFR 312.2(b)(1), the clinical investigation of a marketed drug or biologic does not require submission of an IND if all six of the following conditions are met:

  1. it is not intended to be reported to FDA in support of a new indication for use or to support any other significant change in the labeling for the drug;
  2. it is not intended to support a significant change in the advertising for the product;
  3. it does not involve a route of administration or dosage level, use in a subject population, or other factor that significantly increases the risks (or decreases the acceptability of the risks) associated with the use of the drug product;
  4. it is conducted in compliance with the requirements for IRB review and informed consent [21 CFR parts 56 and 50, respectively];
  5. it is conducted in compliance with the requirements concerning the promotion and sale of drugs [21 CFR 312.7]; and
  6. it does not intend to invoke 21 CFR 50.24.

For additional information on whether or not an IND or IDE is required in a specific situation, contact:

For DRUG PRODUCTS, including BIOLOGICAL THERAPEUTICS, contact:

The relevant review division – contact information available at CDER Offices and Divisions

If the relevant review division is unknown contact:

Division of Drug Information
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Office of Communications
10001 New Hampshire Avenue
Hillandale Building, 4th Floor
Silver Spring, MD 20993
Toll free: (855) 543-3784, or (301) 796-3400
Email: druginfo@fda.hhs.gov

For a BIOLOGICAL BLOOD or VACCINE product, contact:

Office of Communication, Outreach and Development
Center for Biologic Evaluation and Research
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Building 71, Room 3103
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
800-835-4709 or 240-402-8010

For a MEDICAL DEVICE product, contact:

Division of Regulatory Programs 1 (DRP1)
Office of Product Evaluation and Quality
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Avenue, WO66-G609
Silver Spring, Maryland 20993-0002
301-796-5640
OPEQSubmissionSupport@fda.hhs.gov


Submit Comments

Submit comments on this guidance document electronically via docket ID: FDA-2013-S-0610 - Specific Electronic Submissions Intended For FDA's Dockets Management Staff (i.e., Citizen Petitions, Draft Proposed Guidance Documents, Variances, and other administrative record submissions)

If unable to submit comments online, please mail written comments to:

Dockets Management
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Rm 1061
Rockville, MD 20852

All comments should be identified with the title of the guidance.

 
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