FDA guidance

FDA overview

The FDA provides oversight for clinical trials of investigational drugs, biologic products and medical devices.

Useful links

FDA regulations

Clinical trials involving investigational drugs, biologics and/or devices are governed by specific FDA regulations. Numerous parties involved in the clinical trials process, including study sponsors, principal investigators and institutional review boards, are subject to applicable FDA regulations.

FDA guidance documents and information sheets

The FDA provides guidance documents that describe the FDA's current thinking about issues related to FDA-regulated clinical trials. In addition, the FDA publishes information sheets that provide guidance and recommendations for IRBs, clinical investigators and sponsors to help them fulfill their responsibilities to protect human subjects who participate in FDA-regulated research.

Highlighted guidance

Guidance on clinical trial registration on ClinicalTrials.gov

Device-related guidance

FDA compliance findings

The most recent FDA warning letters can be accessed on the FDA website.