MEDICINES Citation, commencement and interpretation 1 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Amendment Regulations 2006 and shall come into force on 29th August 2006. 2 In these Regulations, the “ principal Regulations ” means the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 . Amendment of regulation 2 of the principal Regulations 2 In regulation 2 of the principal Regulations (interpretation), in paragraph (1)— a in the definition of “chief investigator”, in sub-paragraph (b), omit “care”; b for the definition of “ EEA State” substitute the following definition— “EEA State” means a Member State, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein; ; c omit the definition of “EEA Agreement”; and d after the definition of “export”, insert the following definition— “the GCP Directive” means Commission Directive 2005/28/ EC laying down principles and detailed guidelines for good clinical practice as regards investigational medicinal products for human use, as well as the requirements for authorisation of the manufacturing or importation of such products ; . Amendment of regulation 3 of the principal Regulations 3 In regulation 3 of the principal Regulations (sponsor of a clinical trial)— a in paragraph (11), in sub-paragraph (a), for “the European Community” substitute “an EEA State”; and b after paragraph (11), insert the following paragraph— 12 A person who is a sponsor of a clinical trial in accordance with this regulation may delegate any or all of his functions under these Regulations to any person but any such arrangement shall not affect the responsibility of the sponsor. . Insertion of regulation 3A of the principal Regulations 4 After regulation 3 of the principal Regulations (sponsor of a clinical trial) insert the following regulation— Sponsor’s responsibility for the investigator’s brochure 3A The sponsor of a clinical trial shall— a ensure that the investigator’s brochure for that trial, and any update of that brochure, presents the information it contains in a concise, simple, objective, balanced and non-promotional form that enables a clinician or potential investigator to understand it and make an unbiased risk-benefit assessment of the appropriateness of the proposed clinical trial; and b validate and update the investigator’s brochure at least once a year. . Amendment of regulation 4 of the principal Regulations 5 In regulation 4 of the principal Regulations (responsibility for functions under the Directive), in paragraphs (1) and (2), after “the Directive”, in both places those words appear, insert “ and the GCP Directive”. Amendment of regulation 7 of the principal Regulations 6 In regulation 7 of the principal Regulations (recognition of ethics committees), in paragraph (5), in sub-paragraph (c), for “(5)” substitute “(4)”. Amendment of regulation 12 of the principal Regulations 7 In regulation 12 of the principal Regulations (requirement for authorisation and ethics committee opinion), in paragraph (3), in sub-paragraph (a), after “ethics committee” insert “to which an application in relation to the trial may be made in accordance with regulation 14”. Amendment of regulation 13 of the principal Regulations 8 In regulation 13 of the principal Regulations (supply of investigational medicinal products for the purpose of clinical trials), in paragraph (2), in sub-paragraph (b), for head (i) substitute— i the product has been manufactured, assembled or imported— aa in accordance with the terms of a manufacturing authorisation, bb in accordance with the terms of an authorisation referred to in Article 13 of the Directive granted by a competent authority of an EEA State other than the United Kingdom, or cc in the case of assembly only, under the exemption in regulation 37, and . Amendment of regulation 15 of the principal Regulations 9 In regulation 15 of the principal Regulations (ethics committee opinion), in paragraph (5)— a in sub-paragraph (b), for “paragraph 2” substitute “paragraph 10”; b in sub-paragraph (e), after “investigator’s brochure” insert “ or, where the investigational medicinal product has a marketing authorization and the product is to be used in accordance with the terms of that authorization, the summary of product characteristics relating to that product”; and c in sub-paragraph (h)— i after “include” insert “ minors or”, and ii for “Part 5” substitute “Part 4 or Part 5 respectively”. Amendment of regulation 16 of the principal Regulations 10 In regulation 16 of the principal Regulations (review and appeal relating to ethics committee opinion), in paragraph (1), for “13” substitute “14”. Amendment of regulation 17 of the principal Regulations 11 In regulation 17 of the principal Regulations (request for authorisation to conduct a clinical trial)— a in paragraph (2), for “A” substitute “Subject to paragraph (2A), a”; and b after paragraph (2), insert the following paragraph— 2A No fee need accompany a request where arrangements have been made with the licensing authority for payment of the fee referred to in paragraph (2)(b)(ii) other than at the time of request. . Amendment of regulation 23 of the principal Regulations 12 In regulation 23 of the principal Regulations (amendments by the licensing authority), in paragraph (1), for “(1) and (2)” substitute “(2) and (3)”. Amendment of regulation 24 of the principal Regulations 13 In regulation 24 of the principal Regulations (amendments by the sponsor), in paragraph (10)— a before the definition of “valid notice of amendment”, insert the following definition— “any relevant fee” means, in relation to a notice of amendment, any fee which may be payable in connection with that notice under the Medicines (Products for Human Use—Fees) Regulations 1995 ; and ; and b in the definition of “valid notice of amendment”, in paragraph (b), for sub-paragraph (ii) substitute the following sub-paragraph— ii unless arrangements have been made with the licensing authority for the payment of any relevant fee other than at the time of the request, any such fee. . Insertion of regulation 27A of the principal Regulations 14 After regulation 27 of the principal Regulations (conclusion of trial) insert the following regulation— Information sharing 27A The licensing authority and an ethics committee may disclose to each other any information acquired in carrying out their respective functions under these Regulations where disclosing such information may assist the other body in carrying out its functions under these Regulations. . Amendment of regulation 29 of the principal Regulations 15 In regulation 29 of the principal Regulations (conduct of trial in accordance with clinical trial authorisation etc. ), in paragraph (c), for “24(4)” substitute “24(5)”. Insertion of regulation 29A of the principal Regulations 16 After regulation 29 of the principal Regulations (conduct of trial in accordance with clinical trial authorisation etc.), insert the following regulation— Notification of serious breaches 29A 1 The sponsor of a clinical trial shall notify the licensing authority in writing of any serious breach of— a the conditions and principles of good clinical practice in connection with that trial; or b the protocol relating to that trial, as amended from time to time in accordance with regulations 22 to 25, within 7 days of becoming aware of that breach. 2 For the purposes of this regulation, a “serious breach” is a breach which is likely to effect to a significant degree— a the safety or physical or mental integrity of the subjects of the trial; or b the scientific value of the trial. . Amendment of regulation 31 of the principal Regulations 17 In regulation 31 of the principal Regulations (suspension or termination of clinical trial), in paragraph (1), in paragraph (a), in head (ii), for “24(4)” substitute “24(5)”. Insertion of regulation 31A of the principal Regulations 18 After regulation 31 of the principal Regulations (suspension or termination of clinical trial), insert the following regulation— Trial master file and archiving 31A 1 The sponsor shall keep a trial master file for a clinical trial. 2 The sponsor shall ensure that the trial master file is readily available at all reasonable times for inspection by the licensing authority or any person appointed by the sponsor to audit the arrangements for the trial. 3 The master file shall at all times contain the essential documents relating to that clinical trial. 4 The essential documents relating to a clinical trial are those which— a enable both the conduct of the clinical trial and the quality of the data produced to be evaluated; and b show whether the trial is, or has been, conducted in accordance with the applicable requirements of Directive 2001/83/EC , the Directive, the GCP Directive and Commission Directive 2003/94/EC . 5 The essential documents shall contain information specific to each phase of the trial. 6 The sponsor shall ensure that any alteration to a document contained, or which has been contained, in the trial master file shall be traceable. 7 The sponsor and the chief investigator shall ensure that the documents contained, or which have been contained, in the trial master file are retained for at least 5 years after the conclusion of the trial and that during that period are— a readily available to the licensing authority on request; and b complete and legible. 8 The sponsor and chief investigator shall ensure that the medical files of trial subjects are retained for at least 5 years after the conclusion of the trial. 9 The sponsor shall appoint named individuals within his organisation to be responsible for archiving the documents which are, or have been, contained in the trial master file and, subject to paragraph (2), access to those documents shall be restricted to those appointed individuals. 10 If there is transfer of ownership of data or documents connected with the clinical trial— a the sponsor shall record the transfer; and b the new owner shall be responsible for data retention and archiving in accordance with paragraphs (2), (7) and (8). 11 For the purposes of this regulation, an individual is an individual within the sponsor’s organisation where— a he is employed or engaged by the sponsor; b he is acting under arrangements made with the sponsor for the purposes of managing or conducting the clinical trial; c where the sponsor is an individual, he is the sponsor; or d where the sponsor is a body of persons, he is— i a member of the body, or ii employed or engaged by such a member. . Amendment of regulation 38 of the principal Regulations 19 In regulation 38 of the principal Regulations (application for manufacturing authorisation)— a in paragraph (3), for “Every” substitute “Subject to paragraph (3A), every”; and b after paragraph (3), insert the following paragraph— 3A No fee need accompany an application for the grant of a manufacturing authorisation where arrangements have been made with the licensing authority for the payment of the fee referred to in paragraph (3)(b) other than at the time of the application. . Amendment of regulation 40 of the principal Regulations 20 In regulation 40 of the principal Regulations (grant or refusal of manufacturing authorisation), in paragraph (1), in sub-paragraph (a), for head (ii) substitute— ii has at his disposal— aa the services of staff, and bb suitable and sufficient premises, technical equipment and control facilities, complying with the requirements of Commission Directive 2003/94/EC , as regards the manufacture or import, and control, of the products to which the authorisation relates and the storage of such products, . Amendment of regulation 41 of the principal Regulations 21 In regulation 41 of the principal Regulations (application and effect of manufacturing authorisation)— a in paragraph (b), omit “and”; and b after paragraph (b), insert the following paragraph— bb in the case of an authorisation relating to the inactivation of viral or non-conventional agents, the manufacturing process; and . Amendment of regulation 42 of the principal Regulations 22 For regulation 42 of the principal Regulations (obligations of manufacturing authorisation holder), substitute— 42 The holder of a manufacturing authorisation shall— a comply with the principles and guidelines of good manufacturing practice; b comply with the provisions referred to in regulation 40(3); c allow the licensing authority access to his premises at any reasonable time; and d put and keep in place arrangements which enable the qualified person to carry out his duties, including placing at his disposal all the necessary facilities. . Amendment of regulation 44 of the principal Regulations 23 In regulation 44 of the principal Regulations (variation of manufacturing authorisation)— a in paragraph (2), in sub-paragraph (a)— i substitute “change—” for “change the—” ii after head (ii), insert the following head— iia the manufacturing process, , iii in head (iv), after “facilities,”, insert “or”, and iv after head (iv), insert the following head— v the staff, including the qualified person, ; and b for paragraph (8), substitute the following paragraph— 8 In this regulation— “any relevant fee” means, in relation to an application to vary a manufacturing authorisation, any fee which may be payable in connection with that application under the Medicines (Products for Human Use—Fees) Regulations 1995 ; and “valid application” means an application— made to the licensing authority, in writing and signed by or on behalf of the applicants, specifying the variation requested by the applicant, accompanied by— such particulars as are necessary to enable the licensing authority to consider the application, and unless arrangements have been made with the licensing authority for the payment of any relevant fee other than at the time of the application, any such fee, and where the application, and any accompanying material, is in the English language. . Amendment of regulation 46 of the principal Regulations 24 In regulation 46 of the principal Regulations (labelling), in paragraph (2), in sub-paragraph (b), for “an authorised” substitute “a”. Amendment of regulation 48 of the principal Regulations 25 In regulation 48 of the principal Regulations (infringement notices), in paragraph (4)— a after “regulations”, insert “ 3A, 12(1),”; b after “29,”, insert “ 29A,”; and c after “30(2)”, insert “, 31A”. Amendment to regulation 49 of the principal Regulations 26 In regulation 49 of the principal Regulations (offences), in paragraph (1)— a re-number sub-paragraph (a) as sub-paragraph (aa); b before sub-paragraph (aa), insert the following sub-paragraph— a regulation 3A; ; c after sub-paragraph (e), insert the following sub-paragraph— ee regulation 29A; ; and d after sub-paragraph (f), insert the following sub-paragraph— ff regulation 31A(1) to (3) and (5) to (10); . Amendment of Schedule 1 to the principal Regulations 27 Schedule 1 to the principal Regulations (conditions and principles of good clinical practice and for the protection of clinical trial subjects) shall be amended as follows. 1 In Part 1 (application and interpretation), in paragraph 2— i in the definition of “legal representative”, in paragraph (a)— aa in sub-paragraph (i), for “involved in” substitute “connected with”, and bb in sub-paragraph (ii), in head (aa), after “adult” insert “or that minor”; and ii in the definition of “parental responsibility”, in paragraph (b), for “1985” substitute “1995”. 2 For Part 2 (conditions and principles which apply to all clinical trials), substitute the following— PART 2 CONDITIONS AND PRINCIPLES WHICH APPLY TO ALL CLINICAL TRIALS Principles based on Articles 2 to 5 of the GCP Directive 1 The rights, safety and well-being of the trial subjects shall prevail over the interests of science and society. 2 Each individual involved in conducting a trial shall be qualified by education, training and experience to perform his tasks. 3 Clinical trials shall be scientifically sound and guided by ethical principles in all their aspects. 4 The necessary procedures to secure the quality of every aspect of the trial shall be complied with. 5 The available non-clinical and clinical information on an investigational medicinal product shall be adequate to support the proposed clinical trial. 6 Clinical trials shall be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. 7 The protocol shall provide for the definition of inclusion and exclusion of subjects participating in a clinical trial, monitoring and publication policy. 8 The investigator and sponsor shall consider all relevant guidance with respect to commencing and conducting a clinical trial. 9 All clinical information shall be recorded, handled and stored in such a way that it can be accurately reported, interpreted and verified, while the confidentiality of records of the trial subjects remains protected. Conditions based on Article 3 of the Directive 10 Before the trial is initiated, foreseeable risks and inconveniences have been weighed against the anticipated benefit for the individual trial subject and other present and future patients. A trial should be initiated and continued only if the anticipated benefits justify the risks. 11 The medical care given to, and medical decisions made on behalf of, subjects shall always be the responsibility of an appropriately qualified doctor or, when appropriate, of a qualified dentist. 12 A trial shall be initiated only if an ethics committee and the licensing authority comes to the conclusion that the anticipated therapeutic and public health benefits justify the risks and may be continued only if compliance with this requirement is permanently monitored. 13 The rights of each subject to physical and mental integrity, to privacy and to the protection of the data concerning him in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 are safeguarded. 14 Provision has been made for insurance or indemnity to cover the liability of the investigator and sponsor which may arise in relation to the clinical trial. . 3 In Part 4 (conditions and principles which apply in relation a minor), in paragraph 1, for “Subject to paragraph 6, a” substitute “A”. Amendment of Schedule 2 to the principal Regulations 28 In Schedule 2 to the principal Regulations (additional provisions relating to ethics committees)— a in paragraph 1 (interpretation), in the definition of “appointing authority”— i in sub-paragraph (b), omit “or”, ii in sub-paragraph (c), for “the Authority;” substitute “the Authority, or”, iii after sub-paragraph (c), insert the following sub-paragraph— d in relation to the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee, the Secretary of State; ; b in paragraph 6 (committees, meetings and proceedings), after sub-paragraph (4), insert— 5 An ethics committee shall retain all the documents relating to a clinical trial on which it gives an opinion for— a where the trial proceeds, at least three years from the conclusion of the trial; or b where the trial does not proceed, at least three years from the date of the opinion. ; and c in paragraph 8 (deputies and co-opted members), in sub-paragraph (6), for “(4)” substitute “(5)”. Amendment of Schedule 3 to the principal Regulations 29 In Schedule 3 to the principal Regulations (particulars and documents that must accompany an application for an ethics committee opinion, a request for authorisation, a notice of amendment and a notification of the conclusion of a trial)— a in Part 2 (request for authorisation), in paragraph 1, in sub-paragraph (b), for “the European Community” substitute “an EEA State”; b in Part 3 (notice of amendment)— i in paragraph 1, in sub-paragraph (b), for “the European Community” substitute “an EEA State”, and ii in paragraph 2, in sub-paragraph (b), for “the number” substitute “any number”; and c in Part 4 (notification of conclusion of a clinical trial)— i in paragraph 1, in sub-paragraph (b), for “the European Community” substitute “an EEA State”, and ii in paragraph 2, in sub-paragraph (b), for “the number” substitute “any number”. Amendment of Schedule 4 to the principal Regulations 30 In Schedule 4 to the principal Regulations (appeal against unfavourable ethics committee opinion)— a in paragraph 1, in sub-paragraph 1, after “regulation 16(3)”, insert “, (4)(b)”; b in paragraph 4, in sub-paragraph (2)— i in head (d), for “(6)” substitute “(5)”, and ii in head (f)— aa omit “on a review”, and bb for “(5)” substitute “(6)”; and c in paragraph 5, for “11” substitute “12”. Amendment of Schedule 6 to the principal Regulations 31 In Schedule 6 to the principal Regulations (particulars that must accompany an application for a manufacturing authorisation)— a for paragraph 2 substitute— 2 A statement describing the types of investigational medicinal product in respect of which the authorisation is required, including their pharmaceutical forms. ; and b after paragraph 3, insert the following paragraph— 3A Where the application relates to the inactivation of viral or non-conventional agents, a statement of the manufacturing process to which the authorisation is to relate. . Amendment of Schedule 9 to the principal Regulations 32 In Schedule 9 to the principal Regulations (modifications of the enforcement provisions of the Act subject to which those provisions are applied for the purposes of these Regulations), in paragraph 5 for “England and Wales” substitute “Northern Ireland”. Amendment of Schedule 12 to the principal Regulations 33 In Schedule 12 to the principal Regulations (transitional provisions)— a in paragraph 1— i in sub-paragraph (2), in head (b), for “(3)” substitute “(4)”, ii in sub-paragraph (6), after “opinion in relation” insert “ to”, and iii in sub-paragraph (7), for “(a)” substitute “(b)”; and b in paragraph 6, in sub-paragraph (1), in head (a), after “conducted” insert “after”. Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Health Andrew Burnham Minister of State Department of Health 13th July 2006