Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 

Guidance for Clinical 


Investigators, Institutional 


Review Boards and Sponsors 


Process for Handling Referrals to FDA 


Under 21 CFR 50.54 


Additional Safeguards for Children in 


Clinical Investigations 


For single copies of this guidance, please contact: Office of Policy, Food and Drug 

Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, rrn. 14-101, HF-11, Rockville, IvID 20857, (301) 827-3360. 

For questions on the content of this guidance, contact Erik Mettler, Office of Policy, (301) 827- 

3360. 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

Food and Drug Administration 

December 2006 

Final Gztidance 

&!o~ob. 0'72 
Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 

Final Guidance 

Guidance for Clinical 

Investigators, Institutional 

Review Boards and Sponsors 

Process for Handling Referrals to FDA 

Under 21 CFR 50.54 

Additional Safeguards for Children in 

Clinical Investigations 

Additional copies are available from: 

Office of Policy, Office of the Commissioner 

Food and Drug Administration 

5600 Fishers Lane 

Rockville, MD 20857 

(301)827-3360 

http://www.fda.gov/

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

Food and Drug Administration 

December 2006 
Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 

Final Guidance i 

Table of Contents 

I. INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................................1

II. BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................................1

III. REVIEW PROCESS.....................................................................................................................................2

A. OVERVIEW OF PROCESS.................................................................................................................................2

B. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION .................................................................................................................................3

C. SCHEDULING THE SUBCOMMITTEE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS .............................................3

D. SUBMITTING A REFERRAL..............................................................................................................................3

E. DOCUMENTS TO INCLUDE IN THE REFERRAL................................................................................................4

F. ASSESSMENT OF REFERRAL ...........................................................................................................................5

G. ACCEPTANCE OF REFERRAL ..........................................................................................................................5

H. MULTI-SITE CLINICAL INVESTIGATIONS ......................................................................................................6

I. FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES........................................................................................................................6

J. COMPOSITION OF THE PEDIATRIC ETHICS SUBCOMMITTEE........................................................................6

K. THE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING.....................................................................................................................7

L. PAC MEETING................................................................................................................................................7

M. TRANSMITTAL MEMORANDUM......................................................................................................................8

N. REFERRAL PROCESS TIMING .........................................................................................................................8

O. FDA-DHHS JOINT REVIEW UNDER 21 CFR 50.54 AND 45 CFR 46.407.......................................................8
Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 

1

GUIDANCE FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATORS, INSTITUTIONAL 

REVIEW BOARDS AND SPONSORS 

Process for Handling Referrals to FDA Under 21 CFR 50.54 

Additional Safeguards for Children in Clinical Investigations 

 

This guidance represents the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) current thinking on this 

topic. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind 

FDA or the public. You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the 

requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. If you want to discuss an alternative 

approach, contact the appropriate FDA staff. If you cannot identify the appropriate FDA staff, 

call the appropriate number listed on the title page of this guidance. 

I. INTRODUCTION

This guidance is intended to assist clinical investigators, Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), 

sponsors, and other interested parties in understanding the Food and Drug Administration’s 

(FDA or agency) process for handling clinical investigations that include children as subjects and 

that have been referred to FDA for review under 21 CFR 50.54. This guidance describes the 

procedures FDA generally intends to follow in handling such clinical investigations and in 

reaching final determinations pursuant to that regulation. It is based in part on FDA’s experience 

to date with such referrals. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has human 

subject protection regulations that also govern research involving children and supported or 

conducted by HHS. (See 45 CFR Part 46 Subpart D.) This guidance also addresses situations in 

which a clinical investigation is subject to both 21 CFR 50.54 and 45 CFR 46.407.1

FDA’s guidance documents, including this guidance, do not establish legally enforceable 

responsibilities. Instead, guidances describe the FDA’s current thinking on a topic and should 

be viewed only as recommendations, unless specific regulatory or statutory requirements are 

cited. The use of the word should in FDA’s guidances means that something is suggested or 

recommended, but not required. 

II. BACKGROUND 

FDA adopted 21 CFR Part 50 Subpart D, “Additional Safeguards for Children in Clinical 

Investigations”, as an interim final rule in April 2001 (21 CFR Part 50, Subpart D) (Subpart D) 

 

1

 The HHS Subpart D regulations are implemented and interpreted by HHS’s Office for Human Research 

Protections (OHRP) and are nearly identical to FDA’s regulations. OHRP has posted on its website information 

pertaining to its process for handling clinical protocols that are subject to 45 CFR 46.407, and to 45 CFR 46.407 as 

well as FDA’s Subpart D regulations. See www.hhs.gov/ohrp/children/guidance_407process.html. 
Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 

2

(See 66 FR 20598, April 24, 2001). Under these regulations an IRB must review clinical 

investigations that involve children as subjects and are covered by Subpart D and must approve 

only those clinical investigations that satisfy the criteria described in 21 CFR 50.51, 50.52 or 

50.53, and the conditions of all other applicable sections of Subpart D. If an IRB does not 

believe that a clinical investigation within the scope described in 21 CFR 50.1 and 56.101 and 

involving children as subjects meets the requirements of 21 CFR 50.51, 50.52 or 50.53, the 

clinical investigation may proceed only if: 

• The IRB finds and documents that the clinical investigation presents a reasonable 

opportunity to further the understanding, prevention, or alleviation of a serious problem 

affecting the health or welfare of children; and 

• The Commissioner of Food and Drugs (Commissioner), after consultation with a panel of 

experts in pertinent disciplines (e.g., science, medicine, education, ethics, law) and 

following opportunity for public review and comment, determines either: 

- The clinical investigation in fact satisfies 21 CFR 50.51, 50.52 or 50.53, or 

- The following three conditions described in 21 CFR 50.54 are met: 

1. The clinical investigation presents a reasonable opportunity to further the 

understanding, prevention, or alleviation of a serious problem affecting the health 

or welfare of children. 

2. The clinical investigation will be conducted in accordance with sound ethical 

principles; and 

3. Adequate provisions are made for soliciting the assent of children and the 

permission of their parents or guardians as set forth in §50.55. 

III. REVIEW PROCESS 

In FDA-regulated clinical investigations involving children, the agency makes every effort to 

protect the rights, safety, and welfare of those children. In addition, the agency strives to achieve 

the basic goals of adherence to sound ethical principles, transparency through public and expert 

input, efficiency, timeliness, clarity, and consistency. These goals are also endorsed by the 

Subcommittee on Research Involving Children of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on 

Human Research Protections (SACHRP).2

 FDA believes that these goals are best served by 

having a clear, efficient, and comprehensive process for referrals by IRBs under 21 CFR 50.54. 

A. Overview of Process 

FDA will use its advisory committee process to evaluate clinical investigations referred for 

review under 21 CFR 50.54. This process will provide transparency and help ensure expert input 

as well as public participation. When FDA receives a referral from an IRB, the agency will 

determine if the clinical investigation described in the protocol is regulated by FDA as described 

in 21 CFR 50.1(a). If so, the agency will determine whether the referral is complete and can be 

 

2

 See Recommendations for OHRP/FDA Harmonization Subcommittee on Research Involving Children of 

SACHRP, January 29, 2004 minutes, page 9. 
Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 

3

accepted for processing. If the referral is accepted, the agency generally will call a meeting of 

the Pediatric Ethics Subcommittee (the Subcommittee) of the Pediatric Advisory Committee 

(PAC) and present the referral to the Subcommittee for its consideration. At the next open 

meeting of the PAC, the Subcommittee chair (or another member of the Subcommittee, if the 

chair is unavailable) will present to the PAC the Subcommittee’s recommendation(s) regarding 

the referred clinical investigation. After discussion and deliberation, the PAC will make its 

recommendation(s) regarding the referral to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs. The 

Commissioner will then make the final determination as to whether the clinical investigation 

meets the requirements of FDA’s Subpart D regulations. This process is discussed in greater 

detail below. 

B. Public Participation 

Public review and comment is required under 21 CFR 50.54. Furthermore, FDA believes that 

public participation is important to help ensure the comprehensiveness and integrity of the 

review of clinical investigations referred under that regulation and the protection of the children 

who may be enrolled in the investigations. In order to encourage public participation, FDA 

intends to establish an agency docket for each accepted referral and solicit public comment on 

the proposed investigation. The materials in the docket for each investigation will include the 

referral documents sent by the IRB, related agency correspondence, public comments on the 

referral, the transcripts of both the Subcommittee meeting and the PAC meeting, and the final 

determination of the Commissioner regarding the referral under 21 CFR 50.54. Materials 

submitted to the docket will be available through FDA’s Division of Dockets Management or 

through FDA's Division of Freedom of Information. 

In addition, the Subcommittee and PAC meetings will be open to the public. At the 

Subcommittee meeting, the chair will also present a summary of the public comments received. 

C. Scheduling the Subcommittee and Advisory Committee Meetings 

When FDA receives an appropriate and complete referral3 from an IRB under 21 CFR 50.54, the 

Office of Pediatric Therapeutics (OPT) will coordinate with the Executive Secretary4 of the PAC 

regarding the scheduling of the Subcommittee and PAC meetings. FDA generally expects to 

schedule Subcommittee meetings directly preceding a PAC meeting. The PAC is currently 

scheduled to meet approximately three times per year, but FDA will consider calling additional 

meetings as necessary. 

D. Submitting a Referral 

The agency encourages IRBs considering referring a clinical investigation under § 50.54 first to 

discuss with the sponsor whether there are appropriate modifications to the protocol that would 

allow the clinical investigation to be approved under another provision of Subpart D. 

 

3

 See discussion of the joint review process with OHRP in section III.O 4

 The Executive Secretary is the Designated Federal Official (DFO) who coordinates the activities of the advisory 

committee and serves as the link between committee members, FDA, industry and the public. 
Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 

4

IRBs should send referrals under 21 CFR 50.54 of clinical investigations regulated by FDA, as 

described in 21 CFR 50.1(a), to FDA’s OPT at opt@fda.gov, or Office of Pediatric Therapeutics, 

Office of the Commissioner, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, RM 13B-45, HFG-2, Rockville, MD 

20857. FDA may also receive copies of referrals from OHRP in situations where an IRB has 

referred a clinical investigation to OHRP but not to FDA. Similarly, if an IRB submits a clinical 

investigation to FDA but not to OHRP, FDA will usually send it to OHRP so that OHRP can 

determine whether the clinical investigation is also subject to HHS jurisdiction. If a clinical 

investigation is subject to both HHS and FDA jurisdiction, then, as discussed below in Section 

III.O., the referral process will be conducted jointly by FDA and OHRP under 21 CFR 50.54 and 

45 CFR 46.407. 

E. Documents to Include in the Referral 

If an IRB decides to refer a clinical investigation for consideration under 21 CFR 50.54, the IRB 

should submit its finding (required under 21 CFR 50.54(a)) that the clinical investigation 

presents a reasonable opportunity to further the understanding, prevention, or alleviation of a 

serious problem affecting the health or welfare of children. 

The referral should also include the following: 

• An explanation as to why the IRB does not believe that the clinical investigation meets 

the requirements of 21 CFR 50.51, 50.52, or 50.53. FDA believes that in most cases this 

probably will be explained in the IRB's minutes from its discussions of the protocol at 

issue. 

• The research protocol and, if the clinical investigation is being conducted under an 

Investigational New Drug application (IND) or Investigational Device Exemption (IDE), 

the IND or IDE number assigned by FDA; 

• All informed consent documents, including the parental permission form and, if being 

used, the assent forms and/or a description of the assent process; and 

• Any other informative supporting documents, such as IRB minutes pertinent to the 

clinical investigation, correspondence between the IRB and the investigator, product 

labeling, and the investigator’s brochure. 

In addition, the IRB should ensure that the submitted documents consistently describe the 

clinical investigation. We strongly encourage IRBs to submit electronic versions of all 

documents. 

These documents are needed to allow FDA to complete its initial assessment of the clinical 

investigation to determine if the study is subject to FDA jurisdiction, and to provide the 

Subcommittee and the PAC with complete information regarding the referral. The referring IRB 

should provide these documents in a form the IRB would find approvable, but for the issue(s) 

that prompted the referral under 21 CFR 50.54. Providing these documents in "IRB-approvable" 

condition will allow the Subcommittee and the PAC to focus on the issue(s) that prompted the 

referral, and not on other matters that the IRB is able to resolve itself. 

When OPT receives a referral, it will contact the referring IRB to confirm receipt of the referral. 

This will begin the process of exchanging information about the referral process between OPT, 
Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 

5

the IRB, and the investigator. Either in that initial contact or subsequently, OPT will advise the 

IRB as to whether the clinical investigation is subject to FDA jurisdiction and, if it is, whether 

the referral is complete, and thus acceptable for review, or whether any information is missing 

from the submission. Depending on the circumstances of the research, OPT may ask for 

additional information, which may include, for example, information regarding the past use of 

the investigational article in children or adults, documents regarding continuing review, drug 

preparation protocol, or the certificate of analysis for the chemical being studied. During this 

exchange OPT will explain the procedures the agency intends to follow and will encourage the 

IRB to ask any questions it might have about the requirements of 21 CFR 50.54. 

Following this exchange, the IRB may decide to withdraw the referral from consideration. The 

reasons for withdrawal could include, for example, a misunderstanding of the requirements of 

the Subpart D regulations and the applicability of 50.54 to the clinical investigation at issue, i.e., 

a determination by the IRB after further analysis that the clinical investigation can in fact 

proceed under another provision in the Subpart D regulations. The agency encourages the IRB to 

document the reasons for withdrawal of the referral in its request to do so. FDA suggests that an 

IRB in doubt about whether to refer a clinical investigation under 50.54 consult with OPT as 

soon as possible via email at opt@fda.gov. 

F. Assessment of Referral 

Following receipt of the referral, FDA will determine whether the protocol is FDA-regulated 

(generally within 2 weeks after receipt) and inform the referring IRB in writing of the 

determination. If the clinical investigation was referred to FDA by OHRP, FDA will also inform 

OHRP of that determination. 

The considerations under FDA’s IND regulations (see 21 CFR Part 312) and IDE regulations 

(see 21 CFR Part 812) that are used to determine whether an IND or IDE can go into effect are 

related to, but distinct from, the considerations under Part 50 regarding the protection of human 

subjects. Therefore, IRBs should note that, although some clinical investigations are exempt 

from the requirement that they need be conducted under an IND (see 21 CFR 312.2(b)), those 

that are exempt are still subject to 21 CFR Parts 50 and 56 and thus may trigger the Subpart D 

process under section 50.54. Similarly, a clinical investigation of a medical device may be 

exempt under 21 CFR 812.2(c) from the requirement that it be conducted under an IDE, but the 

clinical investigation may still be subject to the Subpart D process. Furthermore, as indicated in 

21 CFR 50.1(a), Part 50 also applies to certain investigations that are not subject to sections 

505(i) or 520(g) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 USC §§ 355(i), 360j(g)). 

G. Acceptance of Referral 

Following receipt of the referral, OPT will then ask the referring IRB for any other relevant 

documents and inform the IRB that FDA intends to post the documents in the docket created for 

the referral, and on the agency’s website. If the IRB believes that any documents it has included 

in its referral may be considered confidential by the sponsor, the IRB will be responsible for 

obtaining any necessary permission from the sponsor to post the documents. If an IRB (or 
Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 

6

sponsor) objects to the public posting of the documents, the agency will be unable to proceed 

with the referral. 

H. Multi-Site Clinical Investigations 

In some circumstances clinical investigations referred for review under 21 CFR 50.54 may be 

conducted at multiple sites. In the event that an IRB at one or more of the clinical sites refers the 

investigation for review, it should notify the sponsor. In such a situation, FDA strongly 

encourages the sponsor to notify the IRB(s) and investigator(s) at all of the other sites of the 

referral. Once an IRB has made a referral under 50.54, pursuant to that regulation the 

investigation may not proceed (i.e., no subjects may be recruited or enrolled in the investigation) 

at any site for which that IRB has responsibility. 

Once IRBs at other sites have been notified by the sponsor of the referral, they may choose to 

allow the clinical investigation to proceed at their sites, or they may choose to await the outcome 

of the 50.54 referral. In making this determination, FDA encourages IRBs to consider the 

implications of continuing the investigation during the pendency of the review and determination 

under 21 CFR 50.54. For example, at the conclusion of the review, it is possible that the 

Commissioner could determine that the investigation cannot proceed because one or more of the 

criteria in 21 CFR 50.54(b) are not met. Alternatively, the Commissioner might determine that 

the investigation can proceed but only with modifications of the protocol or the informed consent 

documents and procedures. At the sites where the clinical investigation goes forward, the IRBs 

of record retain all normal responsibilities for review and oversight. 

I. Federal Register Notices 

Following a referral, FDA generally will issue three Federal Register notices: 

• A solicitation of public comments on the referral, along with background information for 

the referral, notice of the establishment of a docket for the referral, and directions for how 

to access the docket. Generally, FDA will provide approximately 4 weeks for submission 

of comments to the docket; 

• The announcement of the Pediatric Ethics Subcommittee meeting; and 

• The announcement of the Pediatric Advisory Committee meeting. 

J. Composition of the Pediatric Ethics Subcommittee 

FDA will select the members of the Subcommittee in accordance with 21 CFR 50.54(b) and 

other relevant federal laws, including the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. 

App. 2)(1972). The Subcommittee will include at least two members of the PAC. Whenever 

possible, the selected members of the PAC will have clinical expertise relevant to the subject 

matter under discussion. FDA will also invite individuals to serve on the Subcommittee who 

have expertise and/or experience relevant to the clinical investigation being discussed. As a 

general matter, OPT will make these selections in collaboration with the relevant FDA Center(s) 

and review division(s). Additional individuals will be invited according to the principles set 

forth in 21 CFR 50.54(b), such that the Subcommittee consists of a “panel of experts in pertinent 

disciplines (for example: science, medicine, education, ethics, law)” (21 CFR 50.54(b)). As a 
Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 

7

general matter, FDA also believes that usually it will be helpful to include a patient 

advocate/community representative and a statistician on the Subcommittee. 

The agency notes that there will be no cap on the number of members of the Subcommittee, and 

the agency will include as many members as necessary to ensure that the relevant expertise is 

represented. 

K. The Subcommittee Meeting 

FDA intends to invite a representative of the referring IRB (to be selected by the IRB) and the 

investigator to attend the Subcommittee meeting and to make a presentation to the Subcommittee 

regarding the referred protocol. The agency encourages the IRB representative and the 

investigator to attend the meeting to help the Subcommittee understand the clinical investigation 

and basis for the referral. One or more representatives from the FDA review division responsible 

for reviewing the clinical investigation may also attend to answer questions from the 

Subcommittee. As appropriate, the agency may invite additional individuals to make 

presentations to the Subcommittee regarding either the referred protocol or issues raised in it (for 

example, the sponsor of the clinical investigation, or, in a situation involving a multi-site trial, a 

representative from an IRB that has approved the protocol). Although a referral may be made 

because of a particular aspect of the clinical investigation, the Subcommittee and the PAC, as 

well as FDA (and OHRP if they are involved5

), usually will consider the clinical investigation in 

its entirety. 

FDA anticipates that a Subcommittee meeting usually will last for one day and a typical agenda 

will include: 

• Call to order 

• Meeting statement 

• Description of Subpart D expert panel process 

• Overview, charge to panel 

• Background of clinical investigation and protocol-specific scientific/medical issues 

• Investigator comments 

• IRB comments, including identification of specific ethical issues which led to the referral 

• Summary of public comments 

• Open public hearing 

• Presentation of questions 

• Expert panel discussion 

• Discussion, agreement, and vote on recommendation(s) (summary of deliberations) that 

will be presented to PAC. 

The Subcommittee will operate by majority vote. Meeting transcripts and recommendations 

from the Subcommittee meeting will be made available to the public in the docket established for 

the referral and on the agency’s website. 

L. PAC Meeting 

 

5

 See discussion of joint review process with OHRP in section III.O. 
Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 

8

At the next meeting of the PAC (usually shortly after the Subcommittee meeting), the chair of 

the Subcommittee (or another member of the Subcommittee, if the chair is unavailable) will 

present the Subcommittee’s recommendation(s) regarding whether the clinical investigation 

meets the requirements of Subpart D and other relevant requirements of Part 50. The agency 

also encourages the IRB representative and the investigator to attend the PAC meeting such that 

they are available to answer questions about the referred protocol. After discussion of the 

clinical investigation and the recommendation(s), the PAC will vote on its recommendation(s) to 

the Commissioner regarding whether the proposed clinical investigation may proceed under 21 

CFR Part 50 Subpart D. The PAC's recommendations may include changes that the PAC 

believes are necessary for the clinical investigation to proceed as well as other suggested changes 

to improve the investigation. In cases where FDA and OHRP are working jointly to review a 

clinical investigation subject to both FDA's and HHS' regulations, the PAC recommendation(s) 

also will be made to the Secretary. (See Section III.O., for more details on studies subject to 

joint FDA-HHS reviews.) 

The PAC will operate by majority vote. Meeting transcripts and recommendation(s) from the 

PAC meeting will be made available to the public in the docket established for the referral and 

on the agency’s website. After the PAC meeting, the chair will usually summarize the 

recommendation(s) of the PAC in a letter to OPT. 

M. Transmittal Memorandum 

OPT will draft and send a transmittal memorandum to the Commissioner outlining the PAC and 

Subcommittee recommendation(s), and including any recommendations/comments that FDA 

may have. The transmittal memorandum also will include any other necessary supporting 

documentation. The transmittal memorandum will request that the Commissioner make a final 

determination as to whether, and if so, under what provisions of Subpart D, the clinical 

investigation may proceed. After the Commissioner has made a final determination, OPT will 

forward that determination to the referring IRB and will post it in the docket created for the 

referral and on the agency’s website. 

N. Referral Process Timing 

OPT projects that this referral process will take approximately six months to complete; complex 

submissions may take longer to process (e.g., protocols involving a joint referral with OHRP). 

O. FDA-DHHS joint review under 21 CFR 50.54 and 45 CFR 46.407 

In light of the need for both consistency and efficiency, the process for IRB referrals of proposed 

clinical investigations that are both HHS-conducted or supported and FDA-regulated will 

function in essentially the same manner as the process for FDA-only referrals. In such cases: 

• HHS, through OHRP, will participate in the selection of members for the Subcommittee. 

• After the Subcommittee makes a recommendation to the PAC, the PAC will make its 

recommendation(s) to both the Secretary of HHS and the Commissioner of Food and 

Drugs. 
Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 

9

• OPT will forward the Commissioner's determination to OHRP. 

• OHRP will send a transmittal memo with its recommendation, the Commissioner's 

determination, and all supporting documents, including the recommendation(s) of the 

PAC and the summary of the Subcommittee meeting, to the Secretary for a determination 

as to whether the clinical investigation may be conducted or supported by HHS.