In the event of serious noncompliance, what action does ICH E6 recommend regarding an investigator's participation?

In cases of serious noncompliance, ICH E6 guidelines recommend that an investigator's participation in a clinical trial should be ended. This recommendation is based on the critical importance of maintaining the integrity of clinical trials, which rely on strict adherence to ethical standards, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, and regulatory requirements.

Serious noncompliance can jeopardize the safety of participants, compromise data quality, and undermine public trust in the clinical research process. Therefore, if an investigator exhibits serious lapses in compliance, it is essential to act decisively to protect the welfare of study participants and ensure the reliability of the trial outcomes. Ending the investigator's involvement serves to uphold these principles and reinforces the expectation that all parties involved in clinical trials adhere to the highest standards of conduct.

Continuing participation, limiting access to data, or transferring the study to another site may not adequately address the risks posed by an investigator who has demonstrated serious noncompliance, making these alternatives insufficient in safeguarding the study’s integrity and participants’ safety.