Trends and Insights in IRB Warning Letters

The number of warning letters sent to IRBs from the FDA has shown a steady increase over the past five years, the majority of which have been given to institutional IRBs. In 2005, a mere four letters were sent to IRBs about violations compared to thirteen warnings letters in 2009. FDA is focusing more and more on clinical testing, site compliance, and ensuring that IRBs are following the necessary rules and regulations. The purpose of an IRB is to protect human subjects by ensuring that all regulations are followed during the clinical research process.

Some have surmised that this increasing trend of warning letters is fallout of the recent sting operation led by the GAO (Government Accountability Office) which resulted in the closing of Coast IRB. In early 2009, the GAO created a fictitious company and a fake surgical adhesive gel. While the other IRBs declined, Coast IRB of Colorado Springs, Colorado, approved the study for the fictitious adhesive gel, Adhesiabloc. Five months after approving the study for abdominal surgery patients, Coast learned that neither Adhesiabloc nor its maker, Device Med-Systems of Virginia, existed¹. As a result of the sting operation and FDA warning letter, several high profile companies pulled their business from Coast IRB, forcing them to cease future company operations.

IRBs are under the magnifying glass now more than ever, and five themes in violations have emerged in the last eighteen months. Both independent commercial and institutional based IRBs need to understand these focus areas and ensure their policies and procedures are up to date.

Failure to comply with FDA regulations governing clinical trials does have consequences. IRBs will receive a letter from FDA with explicit instructions, and immediate follow up by the IRB is expected. “Within fifteen (15) working days of receiving this letter, please provide written documentation of the actions you have taken or will take to correct these violations and prevent the recurrence of similar violations. Failure to respond to this letter and take appropriate corrective action could result in FDA taking regulatory action without further notice to you.²” So while the number one goal is to protect the human subjects, remember to protect yourself by ensuring that every IRB meeting is documented properly. It is imperative that you document what you do, and do what is documented in your procedures. It’s just like anything in life, you must do the small things right to be successful.

These are just a few tips that can help keep IRBs functioning successfully. As you can see from the top five violations, IRBs are being cited mainly for improper documentation. It is imperative that each IRB maintain proper documentation of each meeting, including minutes, board rosters, attendance, etc. IRBs must also ensure that they are executing the correct techniques in qualifying potential clients. An important detail about the GAO sting operation is that two IRBs denied the fictitious company and product before Coast IRB accepted it. Staffs must do the research and find out who each potential client is, what they do, how they do it, and where they do it.

References

1. Mundy, Alicia. “Sting Operation Exposes Gaps in Oversight of Human Experiments.” March 26, 2009. Retrieved June 21, 2010. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123811179572353181.html
2. Inspections, Compliance, Enforcements, and Criminal Investigations: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Retrieved June 14, 2010. http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2010/default.htm