Medical device sponsors, according to 21 CFR 812.40 and 812.46, are responsible for monitoring clinical trials. The regulations require that sponsors monitor a trial at a site by ensuring that an investigator is compliant with the federal regulations, agreements with the sponsor, the investigational plan, and the requirements set forth in the approval of the study by the IRB. It is also the responsibility of the sponsor, according to 21 CFR 812.43(d) to select monitors qualified by training and experience to monitor a study in accordance with 812 and other applicable FDA regulations. Sponsors may also appoint other individuals and groups to ensure compliance and proper clinical trial monitoring as well as evaluate the accumulating outcome data. The FDA guidance, The Establishment and Operation of Clinical Trial Data Monitoring Committees for Clinical Trial Sponsors, defines a Data Monitoring Committee (DMC), also knows as Data Safety Monitoring Boards (DSMBs) or Data and Safety Monitoring Committees (DSMCs), as a group of individuals with pertinent expertise that reviews, on a regular basis, data from one or more ongoing clinical trials. Additionally, DMCs:
Topics: CEC, DSMB, 21 CFR 812.40
