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GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

Data Retention When Subjects Withdraw from FDA-Regulated Clinical Trials Guidance for Sponsors, Clinical Investigators, and IRBs October 2008

Download the Final Guidance Document
Final
Docket Number:
FDA-2008-D-0576
Issued by:
Guidance Issuing Office
Office of the Commissioner, Office of Clinical Policy and Programs, Office of Clinical Policy, Office of Good Clinical Practice

This guidance is intended for sponsors, clinical investigators and institutional review boards (IRBs). It describes the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) longstanding policy that already-accrued data, relating to individuals who cease participating in a study, are to be maintained as part of the study data. This pertains to data from individuals who decide to discontinue participation in a study, who are withdrawn by their legally authorized representative, as applicable, or who are discontinued from participation by the clinical investigator. This policy is supported by the statutes and regulations administered by FDA as well as ethical and quality standards applicable to clinical research. Maintenance of these records includes, as with all study records, safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of the subject’s information.

Submit Comments

Submit Comments Online

You can submit online or written comments on any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR 10.115(g)(5))

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 written comments should be identified with this document's docket number: FDA-2008-D-0576.

 
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