FDA Guidance for Industry: Electronic Source Data in Clinical Investigations

After more than 5 years and two draft versions, the final version of the Guidance for Industry (GfI) - "Electronic Source Data in Clinical Investigations" was published in September 2013. This new FDA Guidance defines the FDA's expectations for sponsors, CROs, investigators and other persons involved in the capture, review and retention of electronic source data generated in the context of FDA-regulated clinical trials.

In an effort to encourage the modernization and increased efficiency of processes in clinical trials, the FDA clearly supports the capture of electronic source data and emphasizes the agency's intention to support activities aimed at ensuring the reliability, quality, integrity and traceability of this source data, from its electronic source to the electronic submission of the data in the context of an authorization procedure.

The Guidance addresses aspects as data capture, data review and record retention. When the computerized systems used in clinical trials are described, the FDA recommends that the description not only focus on the intended use of the system, but also on data protection measures and the flow of data across system components and interfaces. In practice, the pharmaceutical industry needs to meet significant requirements regarding organisation, planning, specification and verification of computerized systems in the field of clinical trials. The FDA also mentions in the Guidance that it does not intend to apply 21 CFR Part 11 to electronic health records (EHR).

Author:
Oliver Herrmann
Q-Infiity

Source:
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM328691.pdf

Webinar:
https://collaboration.fda.gov/p89r92dh8wc