Description
This guidance provides recommendations to sponsors, Contract Research Organizations (CROs), clinical investigators, and others involved in the capture, review, and retention of electronic source data in FDA-regulated clinical investigations. In an effort to streamline and modernize clinical investigations this guidance promotes capturing source data in electronic form, and it is intended to assist in ensuring the reliability, quality, integrity, and traceability of data from electronic source to electronic regulatory submission.
Scope & Applicability
Stakeholders
4person, computer system, DHT, or EHR authorized to enter data
subject to financial disclosure requirements
Entities involved in bioresearch monitoring compliance
responsible for justifying omission of studies
Regulatory Context
Attributes
2A copy used to permanently replace an original essential record.
Used in place of electronic log-on/password for security
Related CFR Sections (7)
- 21CFR812.140§ 812.140 Records.
(a) Investigator records. A participating investigator shall maintain the following accurate, complete, and current records relating to the investigator's participation in an investigation:Read full regulation →
- 21CFR11.10§ 11.10 Controls for closed systems.
Persons who use closed systems to create, modify, maintain, or transmit electronic records shall employ procedures and controls designed to ensure the authenticity, integrity, and, when appropriate, the confidentiality of electronic records, and to ensure that the signer cannot readily repudiate theRead full regulation →
- 21CFR312.50§ 312.50 General responsibilities of sponsors.
Sponsors are responsible for selecting qualified investigators, providing them with the information they need to conduct an investigation properly, ensuring proper monitoring of the investigation(s), ensuring that the investigation(s) is conducted in accordance with the general investigational plan Read full regulation →
- 21CFR312.62§ 312.62 Investigator recordkeeping and record retention.
(a) Disposition of drug. An investigator is required to maintain adequate records of the disposition of the drug, including dates, quantity, and use by subjects. If the investigation is terminated, suspended, discontinued, or completed, the investigator shall return the unused supplies of the drug tRead full regulation →
- 21CFR11.3§ 11.3 Definitions.
(a) The definitions and interpretations of terms contained in section 201 of the act apply to those terms when used in this part.Read full regulation →
- 21CFR312.3§ 312.3 Definitions and interpretations.
(a) The definitions and interpretations of terms contained in section 201 of the Act apply to those terms when used in this part:Read full regulation →
- 21CFR50.3§ 50.3 Definitions.
As used in this part:Read full regulation →
Related Warning Letters (8)
- 2025-06-03
Bioresearch Monitoring Program
Amy Lightner, MD
- 2024-10-22
Clinical Investigator
Namita A. Goyal, M.D.
- 2024-08-13
Bioresearch Monitoring Program/IRB
Konrad Rejdak, M.D., Ph.D.
- 2023-10-31
Clinical Investigator
Maria W. Greenwald, M.D.
- 2022-06-28
CGMP/Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API)/Adulterated
Fagron Group B.V.
- 2020-05-05
CGMP/Dietary Supplement/Adulterated/Misbranded
Hawaii Pharm LLC
- 2020-04-07
Investigational Device Exemptions (Clinical Investigator)
Kennedy, Philip R.
- 2020-03-10
Clinical Investigator
James R. Corbett, M.D.
See Also (8)
- Data Retention When Subjects Withdraw from FDA-Regulated Clinical Trials: Guidance for Sponsors, Clinical Investigators, and IRBs (Status: Final)
- Patient Preference Information - Voluntary Submission, Review in Premarket Approval Applications, Humanitarian Device Exemption Applications, and De Novo Requests, and Inclusion in Decision Summaries and Device Labeling: Guidance for Industry, Food and Drug Administration Staff, and Other Stakeholders (Status: Final)
- Informed Consent: Guidance for IRBs, Clinical Investigators, and Sponsors (Status: Final)
- Electronic Systems, Electronic Records, and Electronic Signatures in Clinical Investigations: Questions and Answers (Status: Final)
- Investigator Responsibilities — Protecting the Rights, Safety, and Welfare of Study Subjects: Guidance for Industry (Status: Final)
- Patient-Reported Outcome Measures: Use in Medical Product Development to Support Labeling Claims: Guidance for Industry (Status: Final)
- In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Device Studies - Frequently Asked Questions: Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff (Status: Final)
- Use of Electronic Health Record Data in Clinical Investigations Guidance for Industry (Status: Final)