Good clinical practice for clinical trials
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-13)

How to show the MHRA you're meeting good clinical practice (GCP) standards and what to expect from an inspection.

Clinical trials and coronavirus (COVID-19)

We have published guidance on managing clinical trials (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/managing-clinical-trials-during-coronavirus-covid-19) during the COVID-19 outbreak, and on clinical trials applications for COVID-19 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/clinical-trials-applications-for-coronavirus-covid-19).

Overview

Good clinical practice (GCP) is a set of internationally-recognised ethical and scientific quality requirements that must be followed when designing, conducting, recording and reporting clinical trials that involve people.

Organisations that may have to comply with GCP include:
- pharmaceutical companies
- contract research organisations
- universities
- NHS hospitals
- charities
- GP practices
- laboratories analysing samples originating from a clinical trial (including NHS, academic and commercial laboratories)
The International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) has produced guidance on good clinical practice (http://www.ich.org/products/guidelines/efficacy/efficacy-single/article/good-clinical-practice.html).

You can also get more information about GCP in the Good clinical practice guide (https://www.tsoshop.co.uk/MHRA/Good-Clinical-Practice-Guide/?TrackID=000039), produced by the MHRA.

To ensure compliance with GCP, the MHRA:
- asks trial sites to notify them of serious breaches
- carries out inspections of trial sites where serious breaches are reported
- carries out inspections of trial sites that sponsor clinical trials, mostly based on a risk assessment
- carries out inspections of sites when companies apply for marketing authorisations
Report a serious breach

You must notify us of serious breaches of GCP or the trial protocol. See Guidance for the notification of serious breaches of GCP or the trial protocol (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f22f594e90e071a603d33f4/Guidance_for_the_Notification_of_Serious_Breaches_of_GCP_or_the_Trial_Protocol_Version_6__08_Jul_2020.pdf) (PDF, 221 KB, 12 pages).

Complete the notification of serious breaches of GCP or the trial protocol form (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f22f5a6d3bf7f1b13f64f88/Notification_of_Serious_Breach_Form_v7.docx) (MS Word Document, 228 KB) and send it to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

See the annual summary of MHRA GCP referrals (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-review-of-good-clinical-practice-referrals).

Triggered inspections for serious breaches

We may contact you to arrange an inspection if we suspect the law has been broken. This information might come from:
- a serious breach notification
- a whistleblower
- other MHRA departments
- the health research authority (HRA)
In rare circumstances, we may give little or no notice of these inspections.

Inspections under the risk-based compliance programme

The majority of MHRA GCP inspections are carried out under the risk-based compliance programme. These can be either systems-based or trial specific.

GCP systems inspections examine the systems used by your organisation to conduct clinical trial research. The inspectors will select a number of your clinical trials to examine how your organisation’s trial procedures are applied. 1 or 2 investigator sites involved in the selected trials may also be inspected.

Trial-specific GCP inspections assess clinical trials that have been completed and reported.

Currently phase I units that are part of the phase I accreditation scheme (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mhra-phase-i-accreditation-scheme) are not part of the risk-based programme but they are inspected every 2 to 3 years.

The risk-based inspection programme uses information available to the MHRA to determine an organisation’s risk. This information includes:
- internal information about previous inspection history
- organisational changes
- intelligence from external sources
Each organisation is risk assessed and we prioritise inspections for the organisations considered to be the highest risk.

However, we will randomly select a small number of the organisations in the medium- and low-risk categories for routine risk-based inspections.

Routine GCP inspections are conducted as per the flowchart, and more detail is provided in the sections below for each step. See flowchart of the inspection process (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f6738e5274a2e87db5a46/GCP-flowchart.pdf) (PDF, 92.8 KB, 1 page).

Pre-inspection documentation

We will notify you if your organisation is chosen for inspection under the routine risk-based inspection programme.

The notification includes a request for information, in the form of a GCP inspection dossier and a clinical trials spreadsheet within 30 days.

This dossier should include:
- a list of clinical trials
- organisation charts
- standard operating procedure (SOP) lists
- contact details
- overview of facilities
- service providers
- clinical trials activities
Use the GCP inspection dossier template (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63bea9b48fa8f513be1f901c/GCP_inspection_dossier_template__Version_6.0_January_2023.docx) (MS Word Document, 147 KB) and the GCP inspection dossier clinical trial spreadsheet (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d2e84bfb8db2176d5e97e4/Clinical_trial_spreadsheet_for_GCP_inspection_dossier_Mar2025.xlsx) (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 35 KB)to help you prepare your dossier. Use the GCP inspection dossier checklist (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63bea9e4d3bf7f6c29a00c90/GCP_Inspection_Dossier_Checklist_Version_5.0_January_2023.doc) (MS Word Document, 182 KB) to ensure your dossier is complete.

We will agree an inspection date and give you information on the inspection team and the practical logistical aspects of the inspection.

Occasionally, after reviewing the dossier, the lead inspector may decide not to proceed with the inspection.

The trial master file (TMF)

A number of clinical trials are usually selected for trial master file (TMF) review, although the inspection may not be limited to these.

The complete TMF is the basis for inspection and all the documents in it must be made available to the inspectors. This includes any electronic documents and emails. You’ll need to provide any equipment and software needed to access any electronic documents.

You can discuss with the lead inspector beforehand on how to make the TMF available during the inspection.

If you are a sponsor and have subcontracted some activities to a contract research organisation (CRO), then you will have to provide the TMF and/or other documents.

If you have problems meeting these requirements, you should tell the lead inspector before the inspection.

Failure to provide the TMF can affect the results of your inspection.

The inspection plan

The inspection plan is based on discussions with you and the information provided in your GCP inspection dossier, to ensure all activities are covered. Appropriate people should be available for interview either in person or by teleconference.

Additional supporting documentation such as line listings, database extracts and floor plans. might be needed. You should provide all documentation requested within the time agreed with the lead inspector.

Inspectors will be flexible with the inspection plan to accommodate working patterns of individuals and immediate issues if they arise.

You will receive an inspection plan in advance. You can discuss any comments or questions relating to with the lead inspector.

During the inspection

The inspection includes interviews with relevant people and a review of the documentation, such as the TMF. The inspector may visit:
- data management units
- archives
- pharmacy
- laboratories
You should be prepared to provide additional documentation to the inspectors on request.

Inspection findings

At the end of the inspection the inspector will give you a verbal summary of the inspection findings and allow you the opportunity to correct any misunderstandings. The grading of the findings are provisional and may be changed by the inspector for the report.

Grading of inspections findings

Deficiencies found during inspections are graded at 3 levels: critical, major and other.

Grading of inspections findings

Critical

a) Where evidence exists that significant and unjustified departure(s) from applicable legislative requirements has occurred with evidence that:
- the rights, safety or well-being of trial subjects either has been or has significant potential to be jeopardised, and/or
- the clinical trial data are unreliable and/or
- there are a number of Major non-compliances (defined in (d) and (e)) across areas of responsibility, indicating a systematic quality assurance failure, and/or
b) Where inappropriate, insufficient or untimely corrective action has taken place regarding previously reported major non-compliances (defined in (d) and (e)).

c) Where provision of the TMF does not comply with Regulation 31A 1-3, as the TMF is not readily available or accessible, or the TMF is incomplete to such an extent that it cannot form the basis of inspection and therefore impedes or obstructs inspectors carrying out their duties in verifying compliance with the regulations.

Major

d) A non-critical finding where evidence exists that a significant and unjustified departure from applicable legislative requirements has occurred that may not have developed into a critical issue, but may have the potential to do so unless addressed, and/or

e) Where evidence exists that a number of departures from applicable legislative requirements and/or established GCP guidelines have occurred within a single area of responsibility, indicating a systematic quality assurance failure.

Other

f) Where evidence exists that a departure from applicable legislative requirements and/or established GCP guidelines and/or procedural requirement and/or good clinical practice has occurred, but it is neither critical nor major.

The inspection report

The inspection report is emailed to you. You must respond to the report. Your organisation must provide a response to the inspection report in the form of a corrective action and preventative action (CAPA) plan, see CAPA guidance for formulating responses to GCP inspection findings (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6332cf22e90e0711d32ee8e8/Guidance_for_formulating_Responses_to_GCP_Inspection_Findings_V2__25-04-22_.pdf) (PDF, 428 KB, 4 pages). For some inspections, you may need to provide periodic reports on the progress of proposed CAPA actions.

The lead inspector may ask you for additional clarification from the responses you provided. Usually, you will be given one opportunity to provide additional information or clarification.

Once adequate responses are received, you will receive a GCP inspection statement by email.

Actions after the inspection

If there are critical findings identified, these are referred to the GCP Inspection Action Group (IAG). This is a cross-agency group that oversees all critical findings and decides on the actions to be taken in addition to the review of the CAPA for the critical finding.

There are a number of possible non-routine post-inspection actions that the IAG may consider, depending on the critical finding and the impact on public safety and data integrity. These include:
- quarterly reporting
- early re-inspection
- referral to relevant stakeholders (for example, other regulators/agencies, Health Research Authority (HRA), General Medical Council (GMC), Care Quality Commission (CQC))
- suspension of CTA(s)
- an infringement notice
- prosecution
Contact the GCP Inspectorate

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your GCP inspection, direct them to the lead inspector, one of the assisting inspectors, or the GCP operations manager.

Fees for GCP inspections

Fees for inspections (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mhra-fees/current-mhra-fees#inspection-fees)

Make payment to MHRA (https://www.gov.uk/make-a-payment-to-mhra)

GCP inspection metrics

To help you understand the areas where GCP inspectors have found compliance problems during GCP inspections in the UK, the GCP inspectorate produces metrics reports (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/good-clinical-practice-inspection-metrics-2007-to-present).

Infringement notices

An infringement notice may be issued when instances of serious or serious and persistent non-compliance with GCP requirements have been identified.

Below are all the infringement notices that have been issued for GCP. Some information may be redacted. Redacted information contains elements of personal data, the disclosure of which would be unfair in that it would breach the first principle of the Data Protection Act which says that information must be processed fairly and lawfully

Infringement letters

Celixir infringement notice (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/669e263afc8e12ac3edb00de/Celixir_infringement_notice.pdf) (PDF, 112 KB, 3 pages)

Dr David Connell infringement notice (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a817268ed915d74e33fe424/Dr_David_Connell_Infringement_notice.pdf) (PDF, 786 KB, 2 pages)

Mrs Zirka Yousaf Infringement Notice (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a8165a7e5274a2e87dbd689/Mrs_Zirka_Yousaf_Infringement_Notice.pdf) (PDF, 3.97 MB, 11 pages)

Dr Jerome Kerrane Infringement Notice (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b6c5853e5274a2997b49ff3/Infringement_Notice.pdf) (PDF, 1.22 MB, 3 pages)

Risk-adapted approach to clinical trials and risk assessments

We have produced guidance on a risk adapted approach to clinical trials in the UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/risk-adapted-approach-to-clinical-trials-and-risk-assessments).

Oversight and monitoring of investigational medical product trials

To assist sponsors and those conducting trials, we have produced guidance on oversight and monitoring processes, including risk-based monitoring (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oversight-and-monitoring-of-investigational-medical-product-trials).

GCP discussion forum

The MHRA GCP forum MHRA GCP forum (http://forums.mhra.gov.uk/forumdisplay.php?1-Good-Clinical-Practice-(GCP)) can help you comply with the clinical trials regulations and GCP requirements by providing an opportunity to discuss clinical trials and GCP requirements with other researchers. It also contains some useful FAQs.

On-site access to electronic health records by sponsor representatives in clinical trials

We have also published guidance on on-site access to electronic health records (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/on-site-access-to-electronic-health-records-by-sponsor-representatives-in-clinical-trials).

GCP stakeholder engagement meeting (StEM)

The MHRA GCP stakeholder engagement meeting (StEM) now meets on an annual basis to provide a forum for discussion between the MHRA GCP inspectorate and represented stakeholders on key topics related to the conduct of clinical trials of investigational medicinal products.

MHRA StEM March 2021

The MHRA stakeholder engagement meeting met virtually in March 2021. Minutes and presentations are available below.

MHRA StEM March 2021 Slides (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/605c6d57e90e0724bf0817ea/Agency_Update.pdf) (PDF, 585 KB, 6 pages)

Minutes of the StEM March 2021 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/605c6e9b8fa8f545dd6fdae8/Minutes_of_the_Stakeholder_Engagement_Meeting_March_2021.pdf) (PDF, 351 KB, 6 pages)

Remote Monitoring and SDV - Experience of EFGCP (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/605c6db1d3bf7f2f0cd61d39/Remote_Monitoring_and_SDV_-_Experience_of_EFGCP.pdf) (PDF, 570 KB, 4 pages)

Remote Monitoring and SDV - Experience of RQA (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/605c6e1bd3bf7f2f112f0f68/Remote_Monitoring_and_SDV_-_Experience_of_RQA.pdf) (PDF, 473 KB, 2 pages)

Remote Monitoring and SDV - Experience of ACRO (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/605c703e8fa8f545d10b3c0f/Remote_Monitoring_and_SDV_-_Experience_of_ACRO.pdf) (PDF, 358 KB, 3 pages)

Use of eConsent in Clinical Trials - EUCROF and eClinical Forum (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/605c6e41d3bf7f2f19864b1e/Use_of_eConsent_in_Clinical_Trials_-_EUCROF_and_eClinical_Forum.pdf) (PDF, 1.42 MB, 6 pages)

MHRA StEM May 2019

The MHRA stakeholder engagement meeting met in May 2019. Minutes and presentations are available below.

Artificial Intelligence and Experience in Clinical Trials - Oracle Health Sciences, Jonathan Palmer (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ce8039c40f0b62097dc3619/Oracle_Artificial_Intelligence_in_Clinical_Trials_MHRA_StEM_7_May_19_Jonathan_Palmer.pdf) (PDF, 2.75 MB, 23 pages)

Challenges in Electronic Aspects of Clinical Trials (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ce803b6ed915d247979f987/RQA_slides_for_MHRA_GCP_StEM.pdf) (PDF, 226 KB, 10 pages)

Challenges in Developing Technologies (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ce80448ed915d248275617d/AI_and_GCP_LM_EFGCP.pdf) (PDF, 192 KB, 7 pages)

HRA Update: Restructuring and Approvals (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ce80462e5274a4880363704/HRA_Update_for_MHRA_Stakeholder_Event_.pdf) (PDF, 549 KB, 18 pages)

Overview of the CWoW pilot from a Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) perspective (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ce8047e40f0b620a3562073/MHRA-HRA-pilot-07May2019.pdf) (PDF, 226 KB, 16 pages)

Stakeholder Engagement Meeting Presentation May 2019 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5d9335c940f0b65e5fc8cc83/GCP_Labs_StEM_07May19_Presentation.pdf) (PDF, 895 KB, 20 pages)

MHRA StEM May 2018

The MHRA stakeholder engagement meeting met in May 2018. Minutes and presentations are available below.

Digital Topics for StEM May 2018 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b08275fed915d1317445f3f/Section3_Digital_Topics_for_StEM_14May2018_Final.pdf) (PDF, 159 KB, 5 pages)

Digital Technologies (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b082777e5274a1332180c7a/Section3_MHRA_GF_Digital_Technologies.pdf) (PDF, 138 KB, 5 pages)

Stakeholder Engagement Meeting (StEM) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b0827b1ed915d7ee1f5b582/Section5_MHRA_Stakeholder_Engagement_Meeting__StEM__RSI.pdf) (PDF, 284 KB, 18 pages)

Inspection Feedback for StEM May 2018 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b0827c8ed915d761508103e/Section6.1_RQA_Inspection_Feedback_for_StEM_14-May-2018.pdf) (PDF, 137 KB, 10 pages)

Presentation RQA Feedback (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b0827dded915d46713b2081/Section6.2_MHRA_Presentation_RQA_Feedback.pdf) (PDF, 181 KB, 15 pages)

Joint Statement on e-consent (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b0827ee40f0b67320446b8a/Section7_Joint_statement_on_e-consent_HRA.pdf) (PDF, 199 KB, 13 pages)

MHRA StEM November 2017

The MHRA StEM met in November 2017 to discuss three areas pertinent to clinical trials legislation. The outcome of these discussions and attendees of the meeting are available below.

MHRA StEM Nov 2017 Slides (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a74c09ded915d4d83b5eabf/StEM_Nov_2017_For_circulation.pdf) (PDF, 308 KB, 13 pages)

Minutes of the Stakeholder Engagement Meeting May 2018 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b082746e5274a0e0559225d/Minutes_of_the_Stakeholder_Engagement_Meeting_May_2018.pdf) (PDF, 47.2 KB, 6 pages)

MHRA StEM March 2016

Minutes of the Stakeholder Engagement Meeting March 2016 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a8045d8ed915d74e622d7dd/Minutes_of_the_Stakeholder_Engagement_Meeting_March_2016_3.pdf) (PDF, 179 KB, 6 pages)

MHRA update for the Stakeholder Engagement Meeting March 2016 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80ca88ed915d74e6230763/MHRA_update_for_the_Stakeholder_Engagement_Meeting_March_2016.pdf) (PDF, 276 KB, 9 pages)

Trial Master Files presentation for the Stakeholder Engagement Meeting March 2016 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f3432ed915d74e6229051/Trial_Master_Files_presentation_for_the_Stakeholder_Engagement_Meeting_March_2016.pdf) (PDF, 593 KB, 18 pages)

ePRO MHRA case study for the Stakeholder Engagement Meeting March 2016 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80a65ae5274a2e87dbb08a/ePRO_MHRA_case_study_for_the_Stakeholder_Engagement_Meeting_March_2016.pdf) (PDF, 418 KB, 11 pages)

Reference Safety Information for the Stakeholder Engagement Meeting March 2016 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a748dac40f0b616bcb1768d/Reference_Safety_Information_for_the_Stakeholder_Engagement_Meeting_March_2016.pdf) (PDF, 357 KB, 14 pages)

Dr David Connell infringement notice (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a817268ed915d74e33fe424/Dr_David_Connell_Infringement_notice.pdf) (PDF, 786 KB, 2 pages)

MHRA GCP laboratories stakeholder engagement meeting

The GCP labs stakeholder meeting meets on an annual basis to provide a forum for discussion between the MHRA GCP and laboratories inspectorates and represents stakeholders on key topics relating to analysis of samples originating from clinical trials.

May 2019

Minutes of the Stakeholder Engagement Meeting May 2019 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ce80377e5274a487c795c60/Minutes_of_the_Stakeholder_Engagement_Meeting_May_2019_Final.pdf) (PDF, 152 KB, 7 pages)

GCP inspection dossier clinical trial spreadsheet (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d2e84bfb8db2176d5e97e4/Clinical_trial_spreadsheet_for_GCP_inspection_dossier_Mar2025.xlsx) (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 35 KB)

European and UK law for GCP

You can find the European Union directives, GCP and other guidance in Volume 10 of the rules governing medicinal products in the European Union (http://ec.europa.eu/health/documents/eudralex/vol-10/)

The key UK legislation and guidance which covers GCP inspections includes:
- The Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/1031/contents/made)
- The Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Amendment Regulations 2006 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/1928/pdfs/uksi_20061928_en.pdf)
- The Medicines(Advisory Bodies)(No. 2)Regulations 2005 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2754/pdfs/uksi_20052754_en.pdf)
- The Medicines (Marketing Authorisations Etc.) Amendment Regulations 2005 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2759/pdfs/uksi_20052759_en.pdf)
- The Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Amendment (No.2) Regulations 2006 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/2984/pdfs/uksi_20062984_en.pdf)
- The Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians Order 2007 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/289/pdfs/uksi_20070289_en.pdf)
- The Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) and Blood Safety and Quality (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/941/contents/made)
- The Medicines for Human Use (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2009 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/1164/contents/made)
- The Medicines for Human Use (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2010 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/1882/contents/made)
- MHRA’s guidance for clinical trial sponsors and host organisations on electronic health records (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clinical-trials-how-nhs-trusts-and-health-boards-can-maintain-compliant-electronic-health-record-systems)
Contact

For further information on GCP inspections, email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) or xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)