Malaysian GCP Guideline 4th Edition PDF

Fourth Edition Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) Ministry of Health Malaysia Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice 4th Edition First Edition 1999 Second Edition 2004 Third Edition 2011 Fourth Edition 2018 Adapted from the ICH E6: Good Clinical Practice Page 2 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice 4th Edition Published by: National Committee for Clinical Research (NCCR) National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) - secretary Lot 36, Jalan Universiti, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Telephone : 03-7883 5400 Homepage : www.nccr.gov.my www.npra.gov.my © Ministry of Health Malaysia Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice. - Fourth Edition ISBN 978-983-42000-1-5 1. Clinical Trials as Topic--Standards. 2. Diagnosis, Laboratory--Standards. 3. Medical ethics--Standards. 4. Government publications--Malaysia. 610.724 All Rights Reserved No part of this guideline may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written permission from Ministry of Health, Malaysia. Page 3 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed FOREWORD TO THE FOURTH EDITION The National Committee for Clinical research (NCCR) has commissioned the update of the Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice following the revision of International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) E6 Good Clinical Practice guidance in November 2016. The revision is intended to increase the efficiency and quality of clinical trials with the advance use of electronic data recording and also updates the standard for electronic records and essential documents. With the increasing number of clinical trials conducted in the country, it is important to ensure trial subjects are protected and data integrity is preserved. Since the introduction of a standardised GCP syllabus and exit examination in 2011, more than 12,000 have received their GCP certificates. This demonstrates the high level of interest in clinical trial amongst healthcare professionals and researchers. The courses were conducted by a pool of qualified trainers from public hospitals, universities and private sectors throughout the whole country. I would like to thank the committee members for their tireless effort and diligence in revising this Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice. The collective inputs from the various stakeholders in Malaysia were invaluable in developing this edition. Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham bin Abdullah Director General of Health Malaysia Chairman National Committee for Clinical Research, Ministry of Health January 2018 Page 4 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed SUBCOMMITTEE OF MALAYSIAN GUIDELINES FOR GOOD CLINICAL PRACTICE 1. Dr. Shahnaz Murad (Penyelidikan dan Sokongan Teknikal) KKM 2. Dato’ Dr Chang Kian Meng Jawatankuasa Etika dan Penyelidikan Klinikal, KKM 3. Dr. Goh Pik Pin Pusat Penyelidikan Klinikal Kebangsaan, KKM 4. Dr Ramli Zainal National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) 5. Dr. Kamaruzaman Bin Saleh National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) 6. Dr Noraida Mohamad Zainoor - Secretary of NCCR National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) 7. Dato Dr. Ong Loke Meng Pusat Penyelidikan Klinikal, Hospital Pulau Pinang 8. Profesor Datin Dr. Zahurin Mohamed Pusat Perubatan Univerisiti Malaya 9. Dr Goh Bak Leong Pusat Penyelidikan Klinikal, Hospital Serdang 10. Dato’ Dr Azman Hj Abu Bakar Bahagian Perkembangan Perubatan, KKM 11. Profesor Dato’ Paduka Dr. Khalid Hj. Yusoff UCSI University 12. Prof. Datuk Looi Lai Meng Pusat Perubatan Univerisiti Malaya 13. Dr. S. Asmaliza Ismail Ketua Urusetia NIH, KKM 14. Dr. Goh Cheng Soon Bahagian Perubatan Tradisional & Komplementari, KKM 15. Dato’ Dr Fadzilah Kamaludin Institut Penyelidikan Perubatan, KKM Page 5 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 16. Professor Datuk A. Rahman A. Jamal Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 17. Dr. Akhmal Yusof Clinical Research Malaysia 18. Dr. Sarojini Sivanandam Contract Research Organisation (local) 19. Goh Tse Seng Contract Research Organisation (International) 20. Prof. Dr Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman An Nur Specialist Hospital 21. Profesor Dr. Yeoh Peng Nam Malaysia Pharmaceutical Society (MPS) 22. Ms. Vanessa Daniel Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries (MOPI) 23. Mr. Ewe Kheng Huat Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia (Phama) 24. Ms. Tee Khim Boon National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) 25. Ms. Lin Hui Li National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) 26. Ms. Nursafira Binti Khiril Amir National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) 27. Ms. Nur Amani Shaari National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) 28. Mr. Wang Wai Meng National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) 29. Mr. Cheong Ooi Jin National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) 30. Mr. Mohd Azwadi Kamarudin National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) 31. Ms. Safiya Mohd Razif National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) Page 6 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed Contents FOREWORD TO THE FOURTH EDITION......................................................................4 SUBCOMMITTEE OF MALAYSIAN GUIDELINES FOR GOOD CLINICAL PRACTICE...........5 1. GLOSSARY.........................................................................................................9 2. THE PRINCIPLES OF ICH GCP........................................................................... 20 3. INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD/INDEPENDENT ETHICS COMMITTEE (IRB/IEC) 22 4. INVESTIGATOR................................................................................................ 26 5. SPONSOR........................................................................................................ 36 6. CLINICAL TRIAL PROTOCOL AND PROTOCOL AMENDMENT(S)........................... 53 7. INVESTIGATOR'S BROCHURE............................................................................ 58 8. ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS FOR THE CONDUCT OF A CLINICAL TRIAL................... 66 Page 7 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed INTRODUCTION TO MALAYSIAN GUIDELINES FOR GCP Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is an international ethical and scientific quality standard for designing, conducting, recording and reporting clinical trials that involve the participation of human subjects. It is of utmost importance that this standard is upheld at all times when research involving human are conducted. In so doing, all those who are involved in clinical trials will provide the assurance that the rights, safety and well being of the study subjects are safeguarded; in keeping with the principles that have their origin in the Declaration of Helsinki. National Committee for Clinical Research adopted ICH E6 Good Clinical Practice into the Malaysian Guideline for GCP to facilitate the mutual acceptance of clinical data that are intended to be submitted to regulatory authorities. The objective of the Malaysian GCP Guideline is to ensure that all drug-related clinical trials conducted in Malaysia are in accordance with the highest international ethical and scientific standards while at the same time taking into consideration the national issues and local realities without compromising the standards. Though primarily aimed at drug related trials for regulatory purposes, the principles established in this guideline may also be applied to other clinical investigations that have impact on the safety and well-being of human subjects. The Malaysian Guideline for GCP should be read in tandem with the Declaration of Helsinki and the requirements of the national regulatory authority. This guideline also should be read in conjunction with other ICH guidelines relevant to the conduct of clinical trials (e.g., E2A – Clinical safety data management, E3 – Clinical Study Reporting, E7 – geriatric populations, E8 – general considerations for clinical trials, E9 – statistical principles and E11 – pediatric populations). The revision in this guideline provides a unified standard to facilitate the mutual acceptance of data from clinical trials by the regulatory authorities in these jurisdictions. Since definitions in similar documents such as the ICH Guidelines on GCP from which the Malaysian Guideline for GCP is derived from may slightly differ, it is important that the reader read and understand the terminologies listed in the Glossary before proceeding to the subsequent chapters. Page 8 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 1. GLOSSARY 1.1 Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) In the preapproval clinical experience with a new medicinal product or its new usages, particularly as the therapeutic dose(s) may not be established, all noxious and unintended responses to a medicinal product related to any dose should be considered adverse drug reactions. The phrase “responses to a medicinal product” means that a causal relationship between a medicinal product and an adverse event is at least a reasonable possibility, i.e., the relationship cannot be ruled out. Regarding marketed medicinal products: A response to a drug which is noxious and unintended and which occurs at doses normally used in man for prophylaxis, diagnosis, or therapy of diseases or for modification of physiological function (see the ICH Guideline for Clinical Safety Data Management: Definitions and Standards for Expedited Reporting). 1.2 Adverse Event (AE) Any untoward medical occurrence in a patient or clinical investigation subject administered a pharmaceutical product and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment. An adverse event (AE) can therefore be any unfavourable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal (investigational) product, whether or not related to the medicinal (investigational) product (see the ICH Guideline for Clinical Safety Data Management: Definitions and Standards for Expedited Reporting). 1.3 Amendment (to the protocol) See Protocol Amendment. 1.4 Applicable Regulatory Requirement(s) Any law(s) and regulation(s) addressing the conduct of clinical trials of investigational products. 1.5 Approval (In relation to Institutional Review Boards) The affirmative decision of the IRB that the clinical trial has been reviewed and may be conducted at the institution site within the constraints set forth by the IRB, the institution, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and the applicable regulatory requirements. Page 9 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 1.6 Approved Training in Good Clinical Practice Training which is approved by the National Committee for Clinical Research (NCCR). The content of the training must incorporate the curriculum as stipulated by the committee. 1.7 Audit A systematic and independent examination of trial related activities and documents to determine whether the evaluated trial related activities were conducted, and the data were recorded, analyzed and accurately reported according to the protocol, sponsor's standard operating procedures (SOPs), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and the applicable regulatory requirement(s). 1.8 Audit Certificate A declaration of confirmation by the auditor that an audit has taken place. 1.9 Audit Report A written evaluation by the sponsor's auditor of the results of the audit. 1.10 Audit Trail Documentation that allows reconstruction of the course of events. 1.11 Blinding/Masking A procedure in which one or more parties to the trial are kept unaware of the treatment assignment(s). Single-blinding usually refers to the subject(s) being unaware, and double-blinding usually refers to the subject(s), investigator(s), monitor, and, in some cases, data analyst(s) being unaware of the treatment assignment(s). 1.12 Case Report Form (CRF) A printed, optical, or electronic document designed to record all of the protocol required information to be reported to the sponsor on each trial subject. 1.13 Certified Copy A copy (irrespective of the type of media used) of the original record that has been verified (i.e., by a dated signature or by generation through a validated process) to have the same information, including data that describe the context, content, and structure, as the original. Page 10 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 1.14 Clinical Trial Exemption (CTX) An approval by the DCA authorizing the applicant to manufacture any local product for the purpose of clinical trial. 1.15 Clinical Trial Import Licence (CTIL) A license in Form 4 in the schedule of The Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations of 1984, authorizing the licensee to import any product for purposes of clinical trials, notwithstanding that the product is not a registered product. 1.16 Clinical Trial/Study Any investigation in human subjects intended to discover or verify the clinical, pharmacological and/or other pharmacodynamic effects of an investigational product(s) and/or to identify any adverse reactions to an investigational product(s) and/or to study absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of an investigational product(s) with the object of ascertaining its safety and/or efficacy. The terms clinical trial and clinical study are synonymous. 1.17 Clinical Trial/Study Report A written description of a trial/study of any therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic agent conducted in human subjects, in which the clinical and statistical description, presentations, and analyses are fully integrated into a single report (see the ICH Guideline for Structure and Content of Clinical Study Reports). 1.18 Comparator (Product) An investigational or marketed product (i.e. active control), or placebo, used as a reference in a clinical trial. 1.19 Compliance (in relation to trials) Adherence to all the trial-related requirements, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) requirements, and the applicable regulatory requirements. 1.20 Confidentiality Prevention of disclosure, to other than authorized individuals, of a sponsor's proprietary information or of a subject's identity. Page 11 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 1.21 Contract A written, dated, and signed agreement between two or more involved parties that sets out any arrangements on delegation and distribution of tasks and obligations and, if appropriate, on financial matters. The protocol may serve as the basis of a contract. 1.22 Coordinating Committee A committee that a sponsor may organize to coordinate the conduct of a multicentre trial. 1.23 Coordinating Investigator An investigator assigned the responsibility for the coordination of investigators at different centres participating in a multicentre trial. 1.24 Contract Research Organization (CRO) A person or an organization (commercial, academic, or other) contracted by the sponsor to perform one or more of a sponsor's trial-related duties and functions. 1.25 Direct Access Permission to examine, analyze, verify, and reproduce any records and reports that are important to evaluation of a clinical trial. Any party (e.g., domestic and foreign regulatory authorities, sponsor's monitors and auditors) with direct access should take all reasonable precautions within the constraints of the applicable regulatory requirement(s) to maintain the confidentiality of subjects' identities and sponsor's proprietary information. 1.26 Documentation All records, in any form (including, but not limited to, written, electronic, magnetic, and optical records, and scans, x-rays, and electrocardiograms) that describe or record the methods, conduct, and/or results of a trial, the factors affecting a trial, and the actions taken. 1.27 Drug Control Authority (DCA) A regulatory authority established for the purpose of regulating the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations, 1984. Page 12 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 1.28 Essential Documents Documents which individually and collectively permit evaluation of the conduct of a study and the quality of the data produced (see 8. Essential Documents for the Conduct of a Clinical Trial). 1.29 Good Clinical Practice (GCP) A standard for the design, conduct, performance, monitoring, auditing, recording, analyses, and reporting of clinical trials that provides assurance that the data and reported results are credible and accurate, and that the rights, integrity, and confidentiality of trial subjects are protected. 1.30 Herbal/Animal Medicinal Products Plant/animal-derived materials or products with therapeutic or other human health benefits which contain either raw or processed ingredients from one or more plants/animals. 1.31 Independent Data-Monitoring Committee (IDMC) (Data and Safety Monitoring Board, Monitoring Committee, Data Monitoring Committee) Independent data-monitoring committees that may be established by the sponsor to assess at intervals the progress of a clinical trial, the safety data, and the critical efficacy endpoints, and to recommend to the sponsor whether to continue, modify, or stop a trial. 1.32 Impartial Witness A person, who is independent of the trial, who cannot be unfairly influenced by people involved with the trial, who attends the informed consent process if the subject or the subject's legally acceptable representative cannot read, and who reads the informed consent form and any other written information supplied to the subject. 1.33 Independent Ethics Committee (IEC) An independent body (a review board or a committee, institutional, regional, national, or supranational), constituted of medical/scientific professionals and non- medical/non-scientific members, whose responsibility is to ensure the protection of the rights, safety and well-being of human subjects involved in a trial and to provide public assurance of that protection, by, among other things, reviewing and approving/providing favourable opinion on the trial protocol, the suitability of the investigator(s), facilities, and the methods and material to be used in obtaining and documenting informed consent of the trial subjects. Page 13 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed The legal status, composition, function, operations and regulatory requirements pertaining to Independent Ethics Committees may differ among countries, but should allow the Independent Ethics Committee to act in agreement with GCP as described in this guideline. 1.34 Informed Consent A process by which a subject voluntarily confirms his or her willingness to participate in a particular trial, after having been informed of all aspects of the trial that are relevant to the subject's decision to participate. Informed consent is documented by means of a written, signed and dated informed consent form. 1.35 Inspection The act by a regulatory authority (ies) of conducting an official review of documents, facilities, records, and any other resources that are deemed by the authority (ies) to be related to the clinical trial that may be located at the site of the trial, at the sponsor's and/or contract research organization's (CRO's) facilities, or at other establishments deemed appropriate by the regulatory authority (ies). 1.36 Institution (medical) Any public or private entity or agency or medical or dental facility where clinical trials are conducted. 1.37 Institutional Review Board (IRB) An independent body constituted of medical, scientific, and non-scientific members whose responsibility is to ensure the protection of the rights, safety and well- being of human subjects involved in a trial by, among other things, reviewing, approving, and providing continuing review of trial protocol and amendments and of the methods and material to be used in obtaining and documenting informed consent of the trial subjects. 1.38 Interim Clinical Trial/Study Report A report of intermediate results and their evaluation based on analyses performed during the course of a trial. 1.39 Investigational Product A pharmaceutical form of an active ingredient including plant/animal-derived medicinal products or placebo being tested or used as a reference in a clinical trial, including a product with a marketing authorization when used or assembled (formulated Page 14 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed or packaged) in a way different from the approved form, or when used for an unapproved indication (off-label use), or when used to gain further information about an approved use. 1.40 Investigator A person responsible for the conduct of the clinical trial at a trial site. If a trial is conducted by a team of individuals at a trial site, the investigator is the responsible leader of the team and may be called the principal investigator. See also Subinvestigator. 1.41 Investigator / Institution An expression meaning "the investigator and/or institution, where required by the applicable regulatory requirements". 1.42 Investigator's Brochure A compilation of the clinical and nonclinical data on the investigational product(s) which is relevant to the study of the investigational product(s) in human subjects (see 7. Investigator's Brochure). 1.43 Legally Acceptable Representative An individual or juridical or other body authorized under applicable law to consent, on behalf of a prospective subject, to the subject's participation in the clinical trial. 1.44 Monitoring The act of overseeing the progress of a clinical trial, and of ensuring that it is conducted, recorded, and reported in accordance with the protocol, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and the applicable regulatory requirement(s). 1.45 Monitoring Plan A document that describes the strategy, methods, responsibilities, and requirements for monitoring the trial. 1.46 Monitoring Report A written report from the monitor to the sponsor after each site visit and/or other trial-related communication according to the sponsor's SOPs. Page 15 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 1.47 Multicentre Trial A clinical trial conducted according to a single protocol but at more than one site, and therefore, carried out by more than one investigator. 1.48 National Committee for Clinical Research (NCCR) A committee established for the purpose of coordinating and promoting clinical research in Malaysia, chaired by the Director General of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia. 1.49 Nonclinical Study Biomedical studies not performed on human subjects. 1.50 Opinion (in relation to Independent Ethics Committee) The judgement and/or the advice provided by an Independent Ethics Committee (IEC). 1.51 Original Medical Record See Source Documents. 1.52 Protocol A document that describes the objective(s), design, methodology, statistical considerations, and organization of a trial. The protocol usually also gives the background and rationale for the trial, but these could be provided in other protocol referenced documents. Throughout the ICH GCP Guideline the term protocol refers to protocol and protocol amendments. 1.53 Protocol Amendment A written description of a change(s) to or formal clarification of a protocol. 1.54 Quality Assurance (QA) All those planned and systematic actions that are established to ensure that the trial is performed and the data are generated, documented (recorded), and reported in compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and the applicable regulatory requirement(s). Page 16 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 1.55 Quality Control (QC) The operational techniques and activities undertaken within the quality assurance system to verify that the requirements for quality of the trial-related activities have been fulfilled. 1.56 Randomization The process of assigning trial subjects to treatment or control groups using an element of chance to determine the assignments in order to reduce bias. 1.57 Regulatory Authorities Bodies having the power to regulate. In the Malaysian Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice the expression Regulatory Authorities includes the authorities that review submitted clinical data and those that conduct inspections (see 1.35). These bodies are sometimes referred to as competent authorities. 1.58 Serious Adverse Event (SAE) or Serious Adverse Drug Reaction (Serious ADR) Any untoward medical occurrence that at any dose: - results in death, - is life-threatening, - requires inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, - results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity, or - is a congenital anomaly/birth defect (see the ICH Guideline for Clinical Safety Data Management: Definitions and Standards for Expedited Reporting). 1.59 Source Data All information in original records and certified copies of original records of clinical findings, observations, or other activities in a clinical trial necessary for the reconstruction and evaluation of the trial. Source data are contained in source documents (original records or certified copies). 1.60 Source Documents Original documents, data, and records (e.g., hospital records, clinical and office charts, laboratory notes, memoranda, subjects' diaries or evaluation checklists, pharmacy dispensing records, recorded data from automated instruments, copies or transcriptions certified after verification as being accurate copies, microfiches, photographic negatives, microfilm or magnetic media, x-rays, subject files, and records kept at the pharmacy, at the laboratories and at medico-technical departments involved in the clinical trial). Page 17 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 1.61 Sponsor An individual, company, institution, or organization which takes responsibility for the initiation, management, and/or financing of a clinical trial. 1.62 Sponsor-Investigator An individual who both initiates and conducts, alone or with others, a clinical trial, and under whose immediate direction the investigational product is administered to, dispensed to, or used by a subject. The term does not include any person other than an individual (e.g., it does not include a corporation or an agency). The obligations of a sponsor-investigator include both those of a sponsor and those of an investigator. 1.63 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Detailed, written instructions to achieve uniformity of the performance of a specific function. 1.64 Subinvestigator Any individual member of the clinical trial team designated and supervised by the investigator at a trial site to perform critical trial-related procedures and/or to make important trial-related decisions, (e.g., associates, residents, research fellows). See also Investigator. 1.65 Subject/Trial Subject An individual who participates in a clinical trial, either as a recipient of the investigational product(s) or as a control. 1.66 Subject Identification Code A unique identifier assigned by the investigator to each trial subject to protect the subject's identity and used in lieu of the subject's name when the investigator reports adverse events and/or other trial related data. 1.67 Trial Site The location(s) where trial-related activities are actually conducted. 1.68 Unexpected Adverse Drug Reaction An adverse reaction, the nature or severity of which is not consistent with the applicable product information (e.g., Investigator's Brochure for an unapproved investigational product or package insert/summary of product characteristics for an Page 18 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed approved product) (see the ICH Guideline for Clinical Safety Data Management: Definitions and Standards for Expedited Reporting). 1.69 Validation of Computerized System A process of establishing and documenting that the specified requirements of a computerized system can be consistently fulfilled from design until decommissioning of the system or transition to a new system. The approach to validation should be based on a risk assessment that takes into consideration the intended use of the system and the potential of the system to affect human subject protection and reliability of trial results. 1.70 Vulnerable Subjects Individuals whose willingness to volunteer in a clinical trial may be unduly influenced by the expectation, whether justified or not, of benefits associated with participation, or of a retaliatory response from senior members of a hierarchy in case of refusal to participate. Examples are members of a group with a hierarchical structure, such as medical, pharmacy, dental and nursing students, subordinate hospital and laboratory personnel, employees of the pharmaceutical industry, members of the armed forces, and persons kept in detention. Other vulnerable subjects include patients with incurable diseases, persons in nursing homes, unemployed or impoverished persons, and patients in emergency situations, ethnic minority groups, homeless persons, nomads, refugees, minors, and those incapable of giving consent. 1.71 Well-being (of the trial subjects) The physical and mental integrity of the subjects participating in a clinical trial. Page 19 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 2. THE PRINCIPLES OF ICH GCP 2.1 Clinical trials should be conducted in accordance with the ethical principles that have their origin in the Declaration of Helsinki, and that are consistent with GCP and the applicable regulatory requirement(s). 2.2 Before a trial is initiated, foreseeable risks and inconveniences should be weighed against the anticipated benefit for the individual trial subject and society. A trial should be initiated and continued only if the anticipated benefits justify the risks. 2.3 The rights, safety, and well-being of the trial subjects are the most important considerations and should prevail over interests of science and society. 2.4 The available nonclinical and clinical information on an investigational product should be adequate to support the proposed clinical trial. 2.5 Clinical trials should be scientifically sound, and described in a clear, detailed protocol. 2.6 A trial should be conducted in compliance with the protocol that has received prior institutional review board (IRB)/independent ethics committee (IEC) approval/favourable opinion. 2.7 The medical care given to, and medical decisions made on behalf of, subjects should always be the responsibility of a qualified physician or, when appropriate, of a qualified dentist. 2.8 Each individual involved in conducting a trial should be qualified by education, training, and experience to perform his or her respective task(s). 2.9 Freely given informed consent should be obtained from every subject prior to clinical trial participation. Page 20 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 2.10 All clinical trial information should be recorded, handled, and stored in a way that allows its accurate reporting, interpretation and verification. This principle applies to all records referenced in this guideline, irrespective of the type of media used. 2.11 The confidentiality of records that could identify subjects should be protected, respecting the privacy and confidentiality rules in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirement(s). 2.12 Investigational products should be manufactured, handled, and stored in accordance with applicable good manufacturing practice (GMP). They should be used in accordance with the approved protocol. 2.13 Systems with procedures that assure the quality of every aspect of the trial should be implemented. Aspects of the trial that are essential to ensure human subject protection and reliability of trial results should be the focus of such systems. Page 21 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 3. INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD/INDEPENDENT ETHICS COMMITTEE (IRB/IEC) 3.1 Responsibilities 3.1.1 An IRB/IEC should safeguard the rights, safety, and well-being of all trial subjects. Special attention should be paid to trials that may include vulnerable subjects. 3.1.2 The IRB/IEC should obtain the following documents: trial protocol(s)/amendment(s), written informed consent form(s) and consent form updates that the investigator proposes for use in the trial, subject recruitment procedures (e.g., advertisements), and written information to be provided to subjects. Investigator's Brochure (IB), available safety information, information about payments and compensation available to subjects, the investigator's current curriculum vitae and/or other documentation evidencing qualifications, and any other documents that the IRB/IEC may need to fulfill its responsibilities. The IRB/IEC should review a proposed clinical trial within a reasonable time and document its views in writing, clearly identifying the trial, the documents reviewed and the dates for the following: - Approval/favourable opinion; - Modifications required prior to its approval/favourable opinion; - Disapproval / negative opinion; and - Termination/suspension of any prior approval/favourable opinion. 3.1.3 The IRB/IEC should consider the qualifications of the investigator for the proposed trial, as documented by a current curriculum vitae and/or by any other relevant documentation the IRB/IEC requests. 3.1.4 The IRB/IEC should conduct continuing review of each ongoing trial at intervals appropriate to the degree of risk to human subjects, but at least once a year. 3.1.5 The IRB/IEC may request more information than is outlined in paragraph 4.8.10 be given to subjects when, in the judgment of the IRB/IEC, the additional information would add meaningfully to the protection of the rights, safety and/or well- being of the subjects. 3.1.6 When a non-therapeutic trial is to be carried out with the consent of the subject's legally acceptable representative (see 4.8.12, 4.8.14), the IRB/IEC should determine that the proposed protocol and/or other document(s) adequately addresses relevant ethical concerns and meets applicable regulatory requirements for such trials. Page 22 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 3.1.7 Where the protocol indicates that prior consent of the trial subject or the subject's legally acceptable representative is not possible (see 4.8.15), the IRB/IEC should determine that the proposed protocol and/or other document(s) adequately addresses relevant ethical concerns and meets applicable regulatory requirements for such trials (i.e. in emergency situations). 3.1.8 The IRB/IEC should review both the amount and method of payment to subjects to assure that neither presents problems of coercion or undue influence on the trial subjects. Payments to a subject should be prorated and not wholly contingent on completion of the trial by the subject. 3.1.9 The IRB/IEC should ensure that information regarding payment to subjects, including the methods, amounts, and schedule of payment to trial subjects, is set forth in the written informed consent form and any other written information to be provided to subjects. The way payment will be prorated should be specified. 3.2 Composition, Functions and Operations 3.2.1 The IRB/IEC should consist of a reasonable number of members, who collectively have the qualifications and experience to review and evaluate the science, medical aspects, and ethics of the proposed trial. It is recommended that the IRB/IEC should include: (a) At least five members. (b) At least one member whose primary area of interest is in a nonscientific area. (c) At least one member who is independent of the institutional/trial site. Only those IRB/IEC members who are independent of the investigator and the sponsor of the trial should vote/provide opinion on a trial-related matter. A list of IRB/IEC members and their qualifications should be maintained. 3.2.2 The IRB/IEC should perform its functions according to written operating procedures, should maintain written records of its activities and minutes of its meetings, and should comply with GCP and with the applicable regulatory requirement(s). 3.2.3 An IRB/IEC should make its decisions at announced meetings at which at least a quorum, as stipulated in its written operating procedures, is present. 3.2.4 Only members who participate in the IRB/IEC review and discussion should vote/provide their opinion and/or advice. 3.2.5 The investigator may provide information on any aspects of the trial, but should not participate in the deliberations of the IRB/IEC or in the vote/opinion of the IRB/IEC. Page 23 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 3.2.6 An IRB/IEC may invite nonmembers with expertise in special areas for assistance. 3.2.7 An institution without IRB/IEC may request IRB/IEC of Ministry of Health, Malaysia to make decisions on behalf of the said institution. 3.3 Procedures The IRB/IEC should establish, document in writing, and follow its procedures, which should include: 3.3.1 Determining its composition (names and qualifications of the members) and the authority under which it is established. 3.3.2 Scheduling, notifying its members of, and conducting its meetings. 3.3.3 Conducting initial and continuing review of trials. 3.3.4 Determining the frequency of continuing review, as appropriate. 3.3.5 Providing, according to the applicable regulatory requirements, expedited review and approval/favourable opinion of minor change(s) in ongoing trials that have the approval/favourable opinion of the IRB/IEC. 3.3.6 Specifying that no subject should be admitted to a trial before the IRB/IEC issues its written approval/favourable opinion of the trial. 3.3.7 Specifying that no deviations from, or changes of, the protocol should be initiated without prior written IRB/IEC approval/favourable opinion of an appropriate amendment, except when necessary to eliminate immediate hazards to the subjects or when the change(s) involves only logistical or administrative aspects of the trial (e.g., change of monitor(s), telephone number(s)) (see 4.5.2). 3.3.8 Specifying that the investigator should promptly report to the IRB/IEC: (a) Deviations from, or changes of, the protocol to eliminate immediate hazards to the trial subjects (see 3.3.7, 4.5.2, 4.5.4). (b) Changes increasing the risk to subjects and/or affecting significantly the conduct of the trial (see 4.10.2). (c) All adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that are both serious and unexpected. (d) New information that may affect adversely the safety of the subjects or the conduct of the trial. 3.3.9 Ensuring that the IRB/IEC promptly notify in writing the investigator/institution Page 24 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed concerning: (a) Its trial-related decisions/opinions. (b) The reasons for its decisions/opinions. (c) Procedures for appeal of its decisions/opinions. 3.4 Records The IRB/IEC should retain all relevant records (e.g., written procedures, membership lists, lists of occupations/affiliations of members, submitted documents, minutes of meetings, and correspondence) for a period of at least 3 years after completion of the trial and make them available upon request from the regulatory authority (ies). The IRB/IEC may be asked by investigators, sponsors or regulatory authorities to provide its written procedures and membership lists. Page 25 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 4. INVESTIGATOR 4.1 Investigator's Qualifications and Agreements 4.1.1 The investigator(s) should be qualified by education, approved training in Good Clinical Practice certification, and experience to assume responsibility for the proper conduct of the trial, should meet all the qualifications specified by the applicable regulatory requirement(s), and should provide evidence of such qualifications through up-to-date curriculum vitae and/or other relevant documentation requested by the sponsor, the IRB/IEC, and/or the regulatory authority (ies). 4.1.2 The investigator should be thoroughly familiar with the appropriate use of the investigational product(s), as described in the protocol, in the current Investigator's Brochure, in the product information and in other information sources provided by the sponsor. 4.1.3 The investigator should be aware of, and should comply with, GCP and the applicable regulatory requirements. 4.1.4 The investigator/institution should permit monitoring and auditing by the sponsor, and inspection by the appropriate regulatory authority (ies). 4.1.5 The investigator should maintain a list of appropriately qualified persons to whom the investigator has delegated significant trial-related duties. 4.2 Adequate Resources 4.2.1 The investigator should be able to demonstrate (e.g., based on retrospective data) a potential for recruiting the required number of suitable subjects within the agreed recruitment period. 4.2.2 The investigator should have sufficient time to properly conduct and complete the trial within the agreed trial period. 4.2.3 The investigator should have available an adequate number of qualified staff and adequate facilities for the foreseen duration of the trial to conduct the trial properly and safely. 4.2.4 The investigator should ensure that all persons assisting with the trial are adequately informed about the protocol, the investigational product(s), and their trial- related duties and functions. Page 26 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 4.2.5 The investigator is responsible for supervising any individual or party to whom the investigator delegates trial-related duties and functions conducted at the trial site. 4.2.6 If the investigator/institution retains the services of any individual or party to perform trial-related duties and functions, the investigator/institution should ensure this individual or party is qualified to perform those trial-related duties and functions and should implement procedures to ensure the integrity of the trial-related duties and functions performed and any data generated. 4.3 Medical Care of Trial Subjects 4.3.1 A qualified physician (or dentist, when appropriate), who is an investigator or a subinvestigator for the trial, should be responsible for all trial-related medical (or dental) decisions. 4.3.2 During and following a subject's participation in a trial, the investigator/institution should ensure that adequate medical care is provided to a subject for any adverse events, including clinically significant laboratory values, related to the trial. The investigator/institution should inform a subject when medical care is needed for intercurrent illness (es) of which the investigator becomes aware. 4.3.3 It is recommended that the investigator inform the subject's primary physician about the subject's participation in the trial if the subject has a primary physician and if the subject agrees to the primary physician being informed. 4.3.4 Although a subject is not obliged to give his/her reason(s) for withdrawing prematurely from a trial, the investigator should make a reasonable effort to ascertain the reason(s), while fully respecting the subject's rights. 4.4 Communication with IRB/IEC 4.4.1 Before initiating a trial, the investigator/institution should have written and dated approval/favourable opinion from the IRB/IEC for the trial protocol, written informed consent form, consent form updates, subject recruitment procedures (e.g., advertisements), and any other written information to be provided to subjects. 4.4.2 A part of the investigator's/institution's written application to the IRB/IEC, the investigator/institution should provide the IRB/IEC with a current copy of the Investigator's Brochure. If the Investigator's Brochure is updated during the trial, the investigator/institution should supply a copy of the updated Investigator's Brochure to the IRB/IEC. Page 27 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 4.4.3 During the trial the investigator/institution should provide to the IRB/IEC all documents subject to review. 4.5 Compliance with Protocol 4.5.1 The investigator/institution should conduct the trial in compliance with the protocol agreed to by the sponsor and, if required, by the regulatory authority(ies) and which was given approval/favourable opinion by the IRB/IEC. The investigator/institution and the sponsor should sign the protocol or an alternative contract, to confirm agreement. 4.5.2 The investigator should not implement any deviation from, or changes of the protocol without agreement by the sponsor and prior review and documented approval/favourable opinion from the IRB/IEC of an amendment, except where necessary to eliminate an immediate hazard(s) to trial subjects, or when the change(s) involves only logistical or administrative aspects of the trial (e.g., change in monitor(s), change of telephone number(s)). 4.5.3 The investigator, or person designated by the investigator, should document and explain any deviation from the approved protocol. 4.5.4 The investigator may implement a deviation from, or a change of, the protocol to eliminate an immediate hazard(s) to trial subjects without prior IRB/IEC approval/favourable opinion. As soon as possible, the implemented deviation or change, the reasons for it, and, if appropriate, the proposed protocol amendment(s) should be submitted: (a) To the IRB/IEC for review and approval/favourable opinion, (b) To the sponsor for agreement and, if required, (c) To the regulatory authority (ies). 4.6 Investigational Product(s) 4.6.1 Responsibility for investigational product(s) accountability at the trial site(s) rests with the investigator/institution. 4.6.2 Where allowed/required, the investigator/institution may/should assign some or all of the investigator's/institution's duties for investigational product(s) accountability at the trial site(s) to an appropriate pharmacist or another appropriate individual who is under the supervision of the investigator/institution. 4.6.3 The investigator/institution and/or a pharmacist or other appropriate Page 28 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed individual, who is designated by the investigator/institution, should maintain records of the product's delivery to the trial site, the inventory at the site, the use by each subject, and the return to the sponsor or alternative disposition of unused product(s). These records should include dates, quantities, batch/serial numbers, expiration dates (if applicable), and the unique code numbers assigned to the investigational product(s) and trial subjects. Investigators should maintain records that document adequately that the subjects were provided the doses specified by the protocol and reconcile all investigational product(s) received from the sponsor. 4.6.4 The investigational product(s) should be stored as specified by the sponsor (see 5.13.2 and 5.14.3) and in accordance with applicable regulatory requirement(s). 4.6.5 The investigator should ensure that the investigational product(s) are used only in accordance with the approved protocol. 4.6.6 The investigator, or a person designated by the investigator/institution, should explain the correct use of the investigational product(s) to each subject and should check, at intervals appropriate for the trial, that each subject is following the instructions properly. 4.7 Randomization Procedures and Unblinding The investigator should follow the trial's randomization procedures, if any, and should ensure that the code is broken only in accordance with the protocol. If the trial is blinded, the investigator should promptly document and explain to the sponsor any premature unblinding (e.g., accidental unblinding, unblinding due to a serious adverse event) of the investigational product(s). 4.8 Informed Consent of Trial Subjects 4.8.1 In obtaining and documenting informed consent, the investigator should comply with the applicable regulatory requirement(s), and should adhere to GCP and to the ethical principles that have their origin in the Declaration of Helsinki. Prior to the beginning of the trial, the investigator should have the IRB/IEC's written approval/favourable opinion of the written informed consent form and any other written information to be provided to subjects. 4.8.2 The written informed consent form and any other written information to be provided to subjects should be revised whenever important new information becomes available that may be relevant to the subject's consent. Any revised written informed consent form, and written information should receive the IRB/IEC's written Page 29 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed approval/favourable opinion in advance of use. The subject or the subject's legally acceptable representative should be informed in a timely manner if new information becomes available that may be relevant to the subject's willingness to continue participation in the trial. The communication of this information should be documented. 4.8.3 Neither the investigator, nor the trial staff, should coerce or unduly influence a subject to participate or to continue to participate in a trial. 4.8.4 None of the oral and written information concerning the trial, including the written informed consent form, should contain any language that causes the subject or the subject's legally acceptable representative to waive or to appear to waive any legal rights, or that releases or appears to release the investigator, the institution, the sponsor, or their agents from liability for negligence. 4.8.5 The investigator, or a person designated by the investigator, should fully informed the subject or, if the subject is unable to provide informed consent, the subject's legally acceptable representative, of all pertinent aspects of the trial including the written information given approval/favorable opinion by the IRB/IEC. 4.8.6 The language used in the oral and written information about the trial, including the written informed consent form, should be as nontechnical as practical and should be understandable to the subject or the subject's legally acceptable representative and the impartial witness, where applicable. 4.8.7 Before informed consent may be obtained, the investigator, or a person designated by the investigator, should provide the subject or subject's legally acceptable representative ample time and opportunity to inquire about details of the trial and to decide whether or not to participate in the trial. All questions about the trial should be answered to the satisfaction of the subject or the subject's legally acceptable representative. 4.8.8 Prior to a subject's participation in the trial, the written informed consent form should be signed and personally dated by the subject or by the subject's legally acceptable representative, and by the person who conducted the informed consent discussion. 4.8.9 If a subject is unable to read or if a legally acceptable representative is unable to read, an impartial witness should be present during the entire informed consent discussion. After the written informed consent form and any other written information to be provided to subjects, is read and explained to the subject or the subject’s legally acceptable representative, and after the subject or the subject’s legally acceptable representative has orally consented to the subject’s participation in the trial and, if capable of doing so, has signed and/or thumbprinted and dated the informed consent form, the witness should sign and personally date the consent form. By signing Page 30 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed the consent form, the witness attests that the information in the consent form and any other written information was accurately explained to, and appropriately understood by, the subject or the subject’s legally acceptable representative, and that informed consent was freely given by the subject or the subject’s legally acceptable representative. 4.8.10 Both the informed consent discussion and the written informed consent form and any other written information to be provided to subjects should include explanations of the following: a) That the trial involves research. b) The purpose of the trial. c) The trial treatment(s) and the probability for random assignment to each treatment. d) The trial procedures to be followed, including all invasive procedures. e) The subject's responsibilities. f) Those aspects of the trial that are experimental. g) The reasonably foreseeable risks or inconveniences to the subject and when applicable, to an embryo, fetus, or nursing infant. h) The reasonably expected benefits. When there is no intended clinical benefit to the subject, the subject should be made aware of this. i) The alternative procedure(s) or course(s) of treatment that may be available to the subject and their important potential benefits and risks. j) The compensation and/or treatment available to the subject, in the event of trial related injury. k) The anticipated prorated payment, if any, to the subject for participating in the trial. l) The anticipated expenses, if any, to the subject for participating in the trial. m) That the subject's participation in the trial is voluntary and that the subject may refuse to participate or withdraw from the trial, at any time, without penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled. n) That the monitor(s), the auditor(s), the IRB/IEC, and the regulatory authority(ies) will be granted direct access to the subject's original medical records for verification of clinical trial procedures and/or data, without violating the confidentiality of the subject, to the extent permitted by the applicable laws and regulations and that, by signing a written informed consent form, the subject or the subject's legally acceptable representative is authorizing such access. o) That records identifying the subject will be kept confidential and, to the extent permitted by the applicable laws and/or regulations, will not be made publicly available. If the results of the trial are published, the subject's identity will remain confidential. p) That the subject or the subject's legally acceptable representative will be informed in a timely manner if information becomes available that may be relevant to the subject's willingness to continue participation in this trial. Page 31 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed q) The person(s) to contact for further information regarding the trial and the rights of trial subjects, and whom to contact in the event of the trial-related injury. r) The foreseeable circumstances and/or reasons under which the subject's participation in the trial may be terminated. s) The expected duration of the subject's participation in the trial. t) The approximate number of subjects involved in the trial. u) The source(s) and component(s) of the investigational product(s) that may be culturally unacceptable. 4.8.11 Prior to participation in the trial, the subject or the subject's legally acceptable representative should receive a copy of the signed and dated written informed consent form and any other written information provided to the subjects. During a subject's participation in the trial, the subject or the subject's legally acceptable representative should receive a copy of the signed and dated consent form updates and a copy of any amendments to the written information provided to subjects. 4.8.12 When a clinical trial (therapeutic or nontherapeutic) includes subjects who can only be enrolled in the trial with the consent of the subject's legally acceptable representative (e.g., minors or patients with severe dementia), the subject should be informed about the trial to the extent compatible with the subject's understanding and, if capable, the subject should sign and personally date the written informed consent. 4.8.13 Except as described in 4.8.14, a nontherapeutic trial (i.e. a trial in which there is no anticipated direct clinical benefit to the subject), should be conducted in subjects who personally give consent and who sign and date the written informed consent form. 4.8.14 Non-therapeutic trials may be conducted in subjects with consent of a legally acceptable representative provided the following conditions are fulfilled: a) The objectives of the trial cannot be met by means of a trial in subjects who can give informed consent personally. b) The foreseeable risks to the subjects are low. c) The negative impact on the subject's wellbeing is minimized and low. d) The trial is not prohibited by law. e) The approval/favourable opinion of the IRB/IEC is expressly sought on the inclusion of such subjects, and the written approval/favourable opinion covers this aspect. Such trials, unless an exception is justified, should be conducted in patients having a disease or condition for which the investigational product is intended. Subjects in these trials should be particularly closely monitored and should be withdrawn if they appear to be unduly distressed. Page 32 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 4.8.15 In emergency situations, when prior consent of the subject is not possible, the consent of the subject's legally acceptable representative, if present, should be requested. When prior consent of the subject is not possible, and the subject's legally acceptable representative is not available, enrolment of the subject should require measures described in the protocol and/or elsewhere, with documented approval/favourable opinion by IRB/IEC, to protect the rights, safety and well-being of the subject and to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. The subject or the subject's legally acceptable representative should be informed about the trial as soon as possible and consent to continue and other consent as appropriate (see 4.8.10) should be requested. 4.9 Records and Reports 4.9.0 The investigator/institution should maintain adequate and accurate source documents and trial records that include all pertinent observations on each of the site’s trial subjects. Source data should be attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original, accurate, and complete. Changes to source data should be traceable, should not obscure the original entry, and should be explained if necessary (e.g., via an audit trail). 4.9.1 The investigator should ensure the accuracy, completeness, legibility, and timeliness of the data reported to the sponsor in the CRFs and in all required reports. 4.9.2 Data reported on the CRF, that are derived from source documents, should be consistent with the source documents or the discrepancies should be explained. 4.9.3 Any change or correction to a CRF should be dated, initialed, and explained (if necessary) and should not obscure the original entry (i.e. an audit trail should be maintained); this applies to both written and electronic changes or corrections (see 5.18.4 (n)). Sponsors should provide guidance to investigators and/or the investigators' designated representatives on making such corrections. Sponsors should have written procedures to assure that changes or corrections in CRFs made by sponsor's designated representatives are documented, are necessary, and are endorsed by the investigator. The investigator should retain records of the changes and corrections. 4.9.4 The investigator/institution should maintain the trial documents as specified in Essential Documents for the Conduct of a Clinical Trial (see 8.) and as required by the applicable regulatory requirement(s). The investigator/institution should take measures to prevent accidental or premature destruction of these documents. 4.9.5 Essential documents should be retained until at least 2 years after the last approval of a marketing application in an ICH region and until there are no pending or Page 33 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed contemplated marketing applications in an ICH region or at least 2 years have elapsed since the formal discontinuation of clinical development of the investigational product. These documents should be retained for a longer period however if required by the applicable regulatory requirements or by an agreement with the sponsor. It is the responsibility of the sponsor to inform the investigator/institution as to when these documents no longer need to be retained (see 5.5.12). 4.9.6 The financial aspects of the trial should be documented in an agreement between the sponsor and the investigator/institution. 4.9.7 Upon request of the monitor, auditor, IRB/IEC, or regulatory authority, the investigator/institution should make available for direct access all requested trial-related records. 4.10 Progress Reports 4.10.1 The investigator should submit written summaries of the trial status to the IRB/IEC annually, or more frequently, if requested by the IRB/IEC. 4.10.2 The investigator should promptly provide written reports to the sponsor, the IRB/IEC (see 3.3.8) and, where applicable, the institution on any changes significantly affecting the conduct of the trial, and/or increasing the risk to subjects. 4.11 Safety Reporting 4.11.1 All serious adverse events (SAEs) detected or being notified should be reported immediately to the sponsor except for those SAEs that the protocol or other document (e.g., Investigator's Brochure) identifies as not needing immediate reporting. The immediate reports should be followed promptly by detailed, written reports. The immediate and follow-up reports should identify subjects by unique code numbers assigned to the trial subjects rather than by the subjects' names, personal identification numbers, and/or addresses. The investigator must comply with the applicable regulatory requirement(s) related to the reporting of unexpected serious adverse drug reactions to the regulatory authority (ies) and the IRB/IEC. 4.11.2 Adverse events and/or laboratory abnormalities identified in the protocol as critical to safety evaluations should be reported to the sponsor according to the reporting requirements and within the time periods specified by the sponsor in the protocol. 4.11.3 For reported deaths, the investigator should supply the sponsor and the IRB/IEC with any additional requested information (e.g. autopsy reports and terminal Page 34 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed medical reports). 4.12 Premature Termination or Suspension of a Trial If the trial is prematurely terminated or suspended for any reason, the investigator/institution should promptly inform the trial subjects, should ensure appropriate therapy and follow-up for the subjects, and, where required by the applicable regulatory requirement(s), should inform the regulatory authority (ies). In addition: 4.12.1 If the investigator terminates or suspends a trial without prior agreement of the sponsor, the investigator should inform the institution where applicable, and the investigator/institution should promptly inform the sponsor and the IRB/IEC, and should provide the sponsor and the IRB/IEC a detailed written explanation of the termination or suspension. 4.12.2 If the sponsor terminates or suspends a trial (see 5.21), the investigator should promptly inform the institution where applicable and the investigator/institution should promptly inform the IRB/IEC and provide the IRB/IEC a detailed written explanation of the termination or suspension. 4.12.3 If the IRB/IEC terminates or suspends its approval/favorable opinion of a trial (see 3.1.2 and 3.3.9), the investigator should inform the institution where applicable and the investigator/institution should promptly notify the sponsor and provide the sponsor with a detailed written explanation of the termination or suspension. 4.13 Final Report(s) by Investigator Upon completion of the trial, the investigator, where applicable, should inform the institution; the investigator/institution should provide the IRB/IEC with a summary of the trial's outcome, and the regulatory authority (ies) with any reports required. Page 35 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 5. SPONSOR 5.0 Quality Management The sponsor should implement a system to manage quality throughout all stages of the trial process. Sponsors should focus on trial activities essential to ensuring human subject protection and the reliability of trial results. Quality management includes the design of efficient clinical trial protocols and tools and procedures for data collection and processing, as well as the collection of information that is essential to decision making. The methods used to assure and control the quality of the trial should be proportionate to the risks inherent in the trial and the importance of the information collected. The sponsor should ensure that all aspects of the trial are operationally feasible and should avoid unnecessary complexity, procedures, and data collection. Protocols, case report forms, and other operational documents should be clear, concise, and consistent. The quality management system should use a risk-based approach as described below. 5.0.1 Critical Process and Data Identification During protocol development, the sponsor should identify those processes and data that are critical to ensure human subject protection and the reliability of trial results. 5.0.2 Risk Identification The sponsor should identify risks to critical trial processes and data. Risks should be considered at both the system level (e.g., standard operating procedures, computerized systems, personnel) and clinical trial level (e.g., trial design, data collection, informed consent process). 5.0.3 Risk Evaluation The sponsor should evaluate the identified risks, against existing risk controls by considering: (a) The likelihood of errors occurring. (b) The extent to which such errors would be detectable. (c) The impact of such errors on human subject protection and reliability of trial results. 5.0.4 Risk Control The sponsor should decide which risks to reduce and/or which risks to accept. The approach used to reduce risk to an acceptable level should be proportionate to the Page 36 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed significance of the risk. Risk reduction activities may be incorporated in protocol design and implementation, monitoring plans, agreements between parties defining roles and responsibilities, systematic safeguards to ensure adherence to standard operating procedures, and training in processes and procedures. Predefined quality tolerance limits should be established, taking into consideration the medical and statistical characteristics of the variables as well as the statistical design of the trial, to identify systematic issues that can impact subject safety or reliability of trial results. Detection of deviations from the predefined quality tolerance limits should trigger an evaluation to determine if action is needed. 5.0.5 Risk Communication The sponsor should document quality management activities. The sponsor should communicate quality management activities to those who are involved in or affected by such activities, to facilitate risk review and continual improvement during clinical trial execution. 5.0.6 Risk Review The sponsor should periodically review risk control measures to ascertain whether the implemented quality management activities remain effective and relevant, taking into account emerging knowledge and experience. 5.0.7 Risk Reporting The sponsor should describe the quality management approach implemented in the trial and summarize important deviations from the predefined quality tolerance limits and remedial actions taken in the clinical study report (ICH E3, Section 9.6 Data Quality Assurance). 5.1 Quality Assurance and Quality Control 5.1.1 The sponsor is responsible for implementing and maintaining quality assurance and quality control systems with written SOPs to ensure that trials are conducted and data are generated, documented (recorded), and reported in compliance with the protocol, GCP, and the applicable regulatory requirement(s). 5.1.2 The sponsor is responsible for securing agreement from all involved parties to ensure direct access (see 1.25) to all trial related sites, source data/documents, and reports for the purpose of monitoring and auditing by the Page 37 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed sponsor, and inspection by domestic and foreign regulatory authorities. 5.1.3 Quality control should be applied to each stage of data handling to ensure that all data are reliable and have been processed correctly. 5.1.4 Agreements, made by the sponsor with the investigator/institution and any other parties involved with the clinical trial, should be in writing, as part of the protocol or in a separate agreement. 5.2 Contract Research Organization (CRO) 5.2.1 A sponsor may transfer any or all of the sponsor's trial-related duties and functions to a CRO, but the ultimate responsibility for the quality and integrity of the trial data always resides with the sponsor. The CRO should implement quality assurance and quality control. 5.2.2 Any trial-related duty and function that is transferred to and assumed by a CRO should be specified in writing. The sponsor should ensure oversight of any trial- related duties and functions carried out on its behalf, including trial-related duties and functions that are subcontracted to another party by the sponsor’s contracted CRO(s). 5.2.3 Any trial-related duties and functions not specifically transferred to and assumed by a CRO are retained by the sponsor. 5.2.4 All references to a sponsor in this guideline also apply to a CRO to the extent that a CRO has assumed the trial related duties and functions of a sponsor. 5.3 Medical Expertise The sponsor should designate appropriately qualified medical personnel who will be readily available to advise on trial related medical questions or problems. If necessary, outside consultant(s) may be appointed for this purpose. 5.4 Trial Design 5.4.1 The sponsor should utilize qualified individuals (e.g. biostatisticians, clinical pharmacologists, and physicians) as appropriate, throughout all stages of the trial process, from designing the protocol and CRFs and planning the analyses to analyzing and preparing interim and final clinical trial reports. 5.4.2 For further guidance: Clinical Trial Protocol and Protocol Amendment(s) Page 38 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed (see 6), the ICH Guideline for Structure and Content of Clinical Study Reports, and other appropriate ICH guidance on trial design, protocol and conduct. 5.5 Trial Management, Data Handling, and Record Keeping 5.5.1 The sponsor should utilize appropriately qualified individuals to supervise the overall conduct of the trial, to handle the data, to verify the data, to conduct the statistical analyses, and to prepare the trial reports. 5.5.2 The sponsor may consider establishing an independent data-monitoring committee (IDMC) to assess the progress of a clinical trial, including the safety data and the critical efficacy endpoints at intervals, and to recommend to the sponsor whether to continue, modify, or stop a trial. The IDMC should have written operating procedures and maintain written records of all its meetings. 5.5.3 When using electronic trial data handling and/or remote electronic trial data systems, the sponsor should: a) Ensure and document that the electronic data processing system(s) conforms to the sponsor's established requirements for completeness, accuracy, reliability, and consistent intended performance (i.e. validation). The sponsor should base their approach to validation of such systems on a risk assessment that takes into consideration the intended use of the system and the potential of the system to affect human subject protection and reliability of trial results. b) Maintains SOPs for using these systems. The SOPs should cover system setup, installation, and use. The SOPs should describe system validation and functionality testing, data collection and handling, system maintenance, system security measures, change control, data backup, recovery, contingency planning, and decommissioning. The responsibilities of the sponsor, investigator, and other parties with respect to the use of these computerized systems should be clear, and the users should be provided with training in their use. c) Ensure that the systems are designed to permit data changes in such a way that the data changes are documented and that there is no deletion of entered data (i.e. maintain an audit trail, data trail, edit trail). d) Maintain a security system that prevents unauthorized access to the data. e) Maintain a list of the individuals who are authorized to make data changes (see 4.1.5 and 4.9.3). f) Maintain adequate backup of the data. g) Safeguard the blinding, if any (e.g. maintain the blinding during data entry and processing). h) Ensure the integrity of the data including any data that describe the Page 39 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed context, content, and structure. This is particularly important when making changes to the computerized systems, such as software upgrades or migration of data. 5.5.4 If data are transformed during processing, it should always be possible to compare the original data and observations with the processed data. 5.5.5 The sponsor should use an unambiguous subject identification code (see 1.66) that allows identification of all the data reported for each subject. 5.5.6 The sponsor, or other owners of the data, should retain all of the sponsor- specific essential documents pertaining to the trial (see 8. Essential Documents for the Conduct of a Clinical Trial). 5.5.7 The sponsor should retain all sponsor-related essential documents in conformance with the applicable regulatory requirement(s) of the country (ies) where the product is approved, and/or where the sponsor intends to apply for approval(s). 5.5.8 If the sponsor discontinues the clinical development of an investigational product (i.e. for any or all indications, routes of administration, or dosage forms), the sponsor should maintain all sponsor-specific essential documents for at least 2 years after formal discontinuation or in conformance with the applicable regulatory requirement(s). 5.5.9 If the sponsor discontinues the clinical development of an investigational product, the sponsor should notify all the trial investigators/institutions and all the regulatory authorities. 5.5.10 Any transfer of ownership of the data should be reported to the appropriate authority (ies), as required by the applicable regulatory requirement(s). 5.5.11 The sponsor specific essential documents should be retained until at least 2 years after the last approval of a marketing application in an ICH region and until there are no pending or contemplated marketing application in an ICH region or at least 2 years have elapsed since the formal discontinuation of clinical development of the investigational product. These documents should be retained for a longer period however if required by the applicable regulatory requirement(s) or if needed by the sponsor. 5.5.12 The sponsor should inform the investigator(s)/institution(s) in writing of the need for record retention and should notify the investigator(s)/institution(s) in writing when the trial related records are no longer needed. Page 40 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 5.6 Investigator Selection 5.6.1 The sponsor is responsible for selecting the investigator(s)/institution(s). Each investigator should be qualified by training (including approved GCP training) and experience and should have adequate resources (see 4.1, 4.2) to properly conduct the trial for which the investigator is selected. If organization of a coordinating committee and/or selection of coordinating investigator(s) are to be utilized in multicentre trials, their organization and/or selection are the sponsor’s responsibilities. 5.6.2 Before entering an agreement with an investigator/institution to conduct a trial, the sponsor should provide the investigator(s)/institution(s) with the protocol and an up-to-date Investigator's Brochure, and should provide sufficient time for the investigator/institution to review the protocol and the information provided. 5.6.3 The sponsor should obtain the investigator's/institution's agreement: a) To conduct the trial in compliance with GCP, with the applicable regulatory requirement(s) (see 4.1.3), and with the protocol agreed to by the sponsor and given approval/favourable opinion by the IRB/IEC (see 4.5.1); b) To comply with procedures for data recording/reporting; c) To permit monitoring, auditing and inspection (see 4.1.4) and d) To retain the trial related essential documents until the sponsor informs the investigator/institution these documents are no longer needed (see 4.9.4 and 5.5.12). The sponsor and the investigator/institution should sign the protocol, or an alternative document, to confirm this agreement. 5.7 Allocation of Duties and Functions Prior to initiating a trial, the sponsor should define, establish, and allocate all trial-related duties and functions. 5.8 Compensation to Subjects and Investigators 5.8.1 If required by the applicable regulatory requirement(s), the sponsor should provide insurance or should indemnify (legal and financial coverage) the investigator/the institution against claims arising from the trial except for claims that arise from malpractice and/or negligence. 5.8.2 The sponsor's policies and procedures should address the costs treatment Page 41 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed of trial subjects in the event of trial-related injuries in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirement(s). 5.8.3 When trial subjects receive compensation, the method and manner of compensation should comply with applicable regulatory requirement(s). 5.9 Financing The financial aspects of the trial should be documented in an agreement between the sponsor and the investigator/institution. 5.10 Notification/Submission to Regulatory Authority(ies) Before initiating the clinical trial(s), the sponsor (or the sponsor and the investigator, if required by the applicable regulatory requirement(s)) should submit any required application(s) to the appropriate authority (ies) for review, acceptance, and/or permission (as required by the applicable regulatory requirement(s) to begin the trial(s). Any notification/submission should be dated and contain sufficient information to identify the protocol. 5.11 Confirmation of Review by IRB/IEC 5.11.1 The sponsor should obtain from the investigator/institution: a) The name and address of the investigator's/institution's IRB/IEC. b) A statement obtained from the IRB/IEC that it is organized and operates according to GCP and the applicable laws and regulations. c) Documented IRB/IEC approval/favorable opinion and, if requested by the sponsor, a current copy of protocol, written informed consent form(s) and any other written information to be provided to subjects, subject recruiting procedures, and documents related to payments and compensation available to the subjects, and any other documents that the IRB/IEC may have requested. 5.11.2 If the IRB/IEC conditions its approval/favourable opinion upon change(s) in any aspect of the trial, such as modification(s) of the protocol, written informed consent form and any other written information to be provided to subjects, and/or other procedures, the sponsor should obtain from the investigator/institution a copy of the modification(s) made and the date approval/favourable opinion was given by the IRB/IEC. Page 42 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 5.11.3 The sponsor should obtain from the investigator/institution documentation and dates of any IRB/IEC reapprovals/re-evaluations with favourable opinion, and of any withdrawals or suspensions of approval/favourable opinion. 5.12 Information on Investigational Product(s) 5.12.1 When planning trials, the sponsor should ensure that sufficient safety and efficacy data from nonclinical studies and/or clinical trials are available to support human exposure by the route, at the dosages, for the duration, and in the trial population to be studied. 5.12.2 The sponsor should update the Investigator's Brochure as significant new information becomes available (see 7. Investigator's Brochure) 5.13 Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, and Coding Investigational product(s) 5.13.1 The sponsor should ensure that the investigational product(s) (including active comparator(s) and placebo, (if applicable) is characterized as appropriate to the stage of development of the product(s), is manufactured in accordance with any applicable GCP, and is coded and labeled in a manner that protects the blinding, if applicable. In addition, the labeling should comply with applicable regulatory requirement(s). 5.13.2 The sponsor should determine, for the investigational product(s), acceptable storage temperature, storage conditions (e.g. protection from light), storage times, reconstitution fluids and procedures, and devices for product infusion, if any. The sponsor should inform all involved parties (e.g. monitors, investigators, pharmacists, storage managers) of these determinations. 5.13.3 The investigational product(s) should be packaged to prevent contamination and unacceptable deterioration during transport and storage. 5.13.4 In blinded trials, the coding system for the investigational product(s) should include a mechanism that permits rapid identification of the product(s) in case of a medical emergency, but does not permit undetectable breaks of the blinding. 5.13.5 If significant formulation changes are made in the investigational or comparator product(s) during the course of clinical development, the results of any additional studies of the formulated product(s) (e.g.stability, dissolution rate, bioavailability) needed to assess whether these changes would significantly alter the pharmacokinetic profile of the product should be available prior to the use of the new Page 43 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed formulation in clinical trials. 5.14 Supplying and Handling Investigational Product(s) 5.14.1 The sponsor is responsible for supplying the investigator(s)/institution(s) with the investigational product(s). 5.14.2 The sponsor should not supply an investigator/institution with the investigational product(s) until the sponsor obtains all required documentation (e.g. approval/favourable opinion from IRB/IEC and regulatory authority (ies). All importation of clinical trial drugs should go through customs even though a clinical trial import licence has been obtained. 5.14.3 The sponsor should ensure that written procedures include instructions that the investigator/institution should follow for the handling and storage of investigational product(s) for the trial and documentation thereof. The procedures should address adequate and safe receipt, handling, storage, dispensing, retrieval of unused product from subjects, and return of unused investigational product(s) to the sponsor (or alternative disposition if authorized by the sponsor and in compliance with the applicable regulatory requirement(s)). 5.14.4 The sponsor should: a) Ensure timely delivery of investigational product(s) to the investigator(s). b) Maintain records that document shipment, receipt, disposition, return, and destruction of the investigational product(s) (see 8. Essential Documents for the Conduct of a Clinical Trial). c) Maintain a system for retrieving investigational products and documenting this retrieval (e.g. for deficient product recall, reclaim after trial completion, expired product reclaim). d) Maintain a system for the disposition of unused investigational product(s) and for the documentation of this disposition. 5.14.5 The sponsor should: a) Take steps to ensure that the investigational product(s) are stable over the period of use. b) Maintain sufficient quantities of the investigational product(s) used in the trials to reconfirm specifications, should this become necessary, and maintain records of batch sample analyses and characteristics. To the extent stability permits, samples should be retained either until the analyses of the trial data are complete or as required by the applicable regulatory requirement(s), whichever represents the longer retention Page 44 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed period. 5.15 Record Access 5.15.1 The sponsor should ensure that it is specified in the protocol or other written agreement that the investigator(s)/institution(s) provide direct access to source data/documents for trial-related monitoring, audits, IRB/IEC review, and regulatory inspection. 5.15.2 The sponsor should verify that each subject has consented, in writing, to direct access to his/her original medical records for trial related monitoring, audit, IRB/IEC review, and regulatory inspection. 5.16 Safety Information 5.16.1 The sponsor is responsible for the ongoing safety evaluation of the investigational product(s). 5.16.2 The sponsor should promptly notify all concerned investigator(s)/institution(s) and the regulatory authority (ies) of findings that could affect adversely the safety of subjects, impact the conduct of the trial, or alter the IRB/IEC's approval/favourable opinion to continue the trial. 5.17 Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting 5.17.1 The sponsor should expedite the reporting to all concerned investigator(s)/ institution(s), to the IRB(s)/IEC(s), where required, and to the regulatory authority (ies) of all adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that are both serious and unexpected. 5.17.2 Such expedited reports should comply with the applicable regulatory requirement(s) and with the ICH Guideline for Clinical Safety Data Management: Definitions and Standards for Expedited Reporting. 5.17.3 The sponsor should submit to the regulatory authority (ies) all safety updates and periodic reports, as required by applicable regulatory requirement(s). Page 45 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed 5.18 Monitoring 5.18.1 Purpose The purposes of trial monitoring are to verify that: a) The rights and well-being of human subjects are protected. b) The reported trial data are accurate, complete, and verifiable from source documents. c) The conduct of the trial is in compliance with the currently approved protocol/amendment(s), with GCP, and with the applicable regulatory requirement(s). 5.18.2 Selection and Qualification of Monitors a) Monitors should be appointed by the sponsor. b) Monitors should be appropriately trained, and should have the scientific and/or clinical knowledge needed to monitor the trial adequately. A monitor's qualifications should be documented. c) Monitors should be thoroughly familiar with the investigational product(s), the protocol, written informed consent form and any other written information to be provided to subjects, the sponsor's SOPs, GCP, and the applicable regulatory requirement(s). 5.18.3 Extent and Nature of Monitoring The sponsor should ensure that the trials are adequately monitored. The sponsor should determine the appropriate extent and nature of monitoring. The determination of the extent and nature of monitoring should be based on considerations such as the objective, purpose, design, complexity, blinding, size, and endpoints of the trial. In general there is a need for onsite monitoring, before, during, and after the trial; however in exceptional circumstances the sponsor may determine that central monitoring in conjunction with procedures such as investigator's training and meetings, and extensive written guidance can assure appropriate conduct of the trial in accordance with GCP. Statistically controlled sampling may be an acceptable method for selecting the data to be verified. The sponsor should develop a systematic, prioritized, risk-based approach to monitoring clinical trials. The flexibility in the extent and nature of monitoring described in this section is intended to permit varied approaches that improve the effectiveness and efficiency of monitoring. The sponsor may choose on-site monitoring, a combination of on-site and centralized monitoring, or, where justified, centralized monitoring. The sponsor should document the rationale for the chosen monitoring strategy (e.g., in the monitoring plan). Page 46 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed On-site monitoring is performed at the sites at which the clinical trial is being conducted. Centralized monitoring is a remote evaluation of accumulating data, performed in a timely manner, supported by appropriately qualified and trained persons (e.g., data managers, biostatisticians). Centralized monitoring processes provide additional monitoring capabilities that can complement and reduce the extent and/or frequency of on-site monitoring and help distinguish between reliable data and potentially unreliable data. Review, that may include statistical analyses, of accumulating data from centralized monitoring can be used to: (a) identify missing data, inconsistent data, data outliers, unexpected lack of variability and protocol deviations. (b) examine data trends such as the range, consistency, and variability of data within and across sites. (c) evaluate for systematic or significant errors in data collection and reporting at a site or across sites; or potential data manipulation or data integrity problems. (d) analyze site characteristics and performance metrics. (e) select sites and/or processes for targeted on-site monitoring. 5.18.4 Monitor's Responsibilities The monitor(s) in accordance with the sponsor's requirements should ensure that the trial is conducted and documented properly by carrying out the following activities when relevant and necessary to the trial and trial site: a) Acting as the main line of communication between the sponsor and the investigator. b) Verifying that the investigator has adequate qualifications and resources (see 4.1, 4.2, 5.6) and remain adequate throughout the trial period, that facility, including laboratories, equipment, and staff, is adequate to safely and properly conduct the trial and remain adequate throughout the trial period. c) Verifying, for the investigational product(s): i. The storage times and conditions are acceptable, and that supplies are sufficient throughout the trial. ii. That the investigational product(s) are supplied only to subjects who are eligible to receive it and at the protocol specified dose(s). iii. That subjects are provided with necessary instruction on properly using, handling, storing, and returning the investigational product(s). iv. That the receipt, use, and return of the investigational product(s) at Page 47 Malaysian Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, 4th Ed

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