Welcome to our new website! If this is the first time you are logging in on the new site, you will need to reset your password. Please contact us at raps@raps.org if you need assistance.
Your membership opens the door to free learning resources on demand. Check out the Member Knowledge Center for free webcasts, publications and online courses.
The highly-anticipated fifth edition is here! Get the must-have resource for achieving compliance with medical device regulations.
Hear from leaders around the globe as they share insights about their experiences and lessons learned throughout their certification journey.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Friday announced it is reviewing all EU-authorized drugs that relied on studies conducted by contract research organization (CRO) Semler Research after recent inspections uncovered serious data integrity violations at its Bangalore, India facility.
EMA says it is conducting its review based on the issues raised by recent notices from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and World Health Organization (WHO).
According to EMA, there are several drugs that relied on studies done by Semler that are authorized in individual EU member states, though the agency notes there are no centrally authorized products that relied on studies conducted by Semler. Additionally, EMA says its review will extend to at least one ongoing marketing authorization review for a drug that used Semler studies in its application.
EMA's announcement comes one week after FDA notified sponsors of new drug applications (NDAs) and abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) that clinical and bioanalytical studies conducted by Semler are not acceptable.
FDA made its determination after uncovering "objectionable" study practices during an inspection of Semler's Bangalore, India facility last fall. "The inspection found significant instances of misconduct and violations of federal regulations, including the substitution and manipulation of study subject samples," FDA said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reached a similar conclusion, and issued a Notice of Concern (NOC) to Semler on 12 April, calling into question the validity of 11 studies supporting drugs prequalified by WHO and another 12 drugs currently under assessment.
Both FDA and WHO say that Semler's response to their findings fails to adequately address the issues uncovered during the inspections.
Despite the agencies' findings, Semler CEO Krathish Bopanna told Focus on Friday that his company has not committed any wrongdoing.
"We are working to respond to the timelines provided by USFDA. EMA has not inspected us, WHO is extrapolation of FDA findings. We have not indulged any activities which brings us disrepute in any manner. We will respond appropriately."
However, in its NOC, WHO says the "problems observed at Semler and other problems described in the report, indicate the existence of a general or systematic deviation from common
EMA
WHO Notice of Concern
FDA Notification, Untitled Letter
Tags: Data integrity, Notice of Concern, Semler