FDA Guidance: Flexibility But No Compromise on Patient Safety

In late March 2020, FDA issued Guidance on conduct of clinical trials of medical products during COVID-19 public health emergency: Guidance for industry investigators and institutional review boards. In the agency statement accompanying its release, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Medical and Scientific Affairs Anand Shah stated, "FDA released this guidance to emphasize that at all times patient safety should continue to be at the forefront of considerations. We want to support the continuance of these clinical trials in compliance with good clinical practice and minimizing risks to trial integrity, while also safeguarding the health and well-being of study participants."