Good Clinical Practice Inspections

Understand the processes for preparation, conduct and follow up of Good Clinical Practice Inspections. 

Implementation of ICH E6 (R3) Guideline for Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

The ICH guideline for GCP is an international ethical and scientific quality standard for designing, conducting, recording and reporting clinical trials. Compliance with GCP provides assurance that the rights, safety and well-being of trial participants are protected, and clinical trial data are credible, facilitating mutual acceptance of the clinical data by regulatory authorities. The E6 (R3) guideline addresses GCP principles in the context of an evolving landscape of clinical trials, supporting innovations in clinical trial design, operational approaches, and technological advancements. It promotes a quality-by-design and risk-proportionate approach to clinical trial conduct.

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has adopted the Principles and Annex 1 of the ICH E6 (R3) Guideline for GCP, which will come into effect in Singapore on 1 Jan 2026.

To ensure a smooth transition to the ICH E6 (R3) Guideline for GCP, interested parties should:
  1. thoroughly review the ICH E6 (R3) Guideline for GCP;
  2. perform a gap analysis and implement necessary changes to align with the new guideline; and
  3. adopt a proportionate approach to training on the ICH E6 (R3) Guideline for GCP and document the relevant training completed.
The Principal Investigator (PI) should be familiar with the ICH E6 (R3) Guideline for GCP, since the PI is overall responsible for trial conduct at the investigator site. The PI should ensure that persons or parties assisting in the clinical trial receive training appropriate to their delegated trial activities that go beyond their usual training and experience, and are adequately informed about the relevant aspects of the ICH E6 (R3) Guideline for GCP.

The proportionate approach to training on the ICH E6 (R3) Guideline for GCP also applies to sponsors.

Refer to the following for more information:

Overview

A Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Inspection is an official review of documents, facilities, records and any other resources that are related to your clinical trial. The inspection may be done at the site of the trial, the sponsor's or contract research organisation's facilities or at another appropriate location. The inspection may also take place at multiple sites where required.

The following types of clinical trials may be subjected to GCP Inspections:

  • Clinical trials of therapeutic products and Class 2 cell, tissue or gene therapy products (CTGTPs) that are subject to the requirements of a Clinical Trial Authorisation (CTA) or Clinical Trial Notification (CTN)
  • Clinical trials of medicinal products that are subject to the requirements of a Clinical Trial Certificate (CTC)

The inspectee of a GCP Inspection may either be the Principal Investigator or the sponsor of the clinical trial being inspected.

Objectives of GCP Inspections

GCP inspections may either be protocol-specific or systems. The objectives of both types of inspections are to:

  • Safeguard the rights, safety and well-being of trial participants 
  • Verify the quality and integrity of clinical trial data submitted to the regulatory authorities
  • Assess compliance to protocol, applicable regulations, guidelines and standard operating procedures

Additionally, the objectives of systems inspections are to:

  • Assess whether a system is suitably designed, controlled, maintained and documented to fulfil intended objectives
  • Identify areas for quality improvement

Types of GCP Inspections

Type Description
Routine Usually apply to ongoing clinical trials and are done announced.
Triggered Conducted as a result of requests, complaints or reports to us on suspected violations of regulations. Such types of inspections may be done announced and apply to ongoing or completed clinical trials.
Pre-marketing approval application Usually apply to completed clinical trials and are done announced.

GCP Inspection process

During a GCP Inspection Details
Opening meeting GCP inspectors will explain the GCP Inspection framework, confirm the agenda and confirm that all resources, documents and facilities required for inspection are available.

The inspectee will present an overview of the clinical trial in relation to the inspection scope. This may include information pertaining to trial participant recruitment, informed consent process, investigational product management, safety reporting, biological sample handling, etc.
Interviews with study staff Interviews will be conducted with key study staff to determine how the clinical trial is being conducted.
Visit to  facilities GCP inspectors may visit the site or facilities where the trial is conducted.
Document review Essential documents will be reviewed.
Interim meeting Observations from the GCP Inspection may be shared to provide the inspectee with an opportunity to clarify or resolve the observations during the GCP Inspection, where possible. 
Closing meeting Observations from the GCP Inspection will be shared.

Grading of GCP Inspection Findings

GCP Inspection Findings will be graded based on the impact on the goals of GCP, frequency of occurrence, and corrective and preventive actions that can be taken.

Grading Impact on the goals of GCP
Critical Adversely affects
Major Might adversely affect
Other Not expected to adversely affect
Comments The observations might lead to suggestions on how to improve quality or reduce the potential for a non-compliance to occur in the future.

Remote / Hybrid GCP Inspections

Based on the experience gained from the COVID-19 pandemic, remote / hybrid approaches to GCP inspections may be incorporated into regular GCP inspections where appropriate and feasible, based on the inspection scope and if the objectives of GCP Inspection will not be compromised.


Refer to the Guidance on GCP Compliance Inspection Framework301 KB for more details on the GCP Inspection.

Presentations - ICH E6 (R3) Guideline for GCP

DATEPRESENTATION
28 Feb 2025

ICH E6 (R3) Guideline for GCP: Principles and Annex 1 - Overview of Major Changes2050 KB

Presented in HSA-SCRI Public Webinar
(Click here to view recording)

22 Jan 2025

ICH E6 (R3) Guideline for GCP: Annex 2 - Overview of Step 2 Draft550 KB

Presented in SCRP Forum on Navigating the Future of Clinical Trials

Presentations - Common GCP Inspection Findings

DATEPRESENTATION
21 Feb 2025

Looking Back at 2024519 KB

Presented in SCRI-NHG CRC Appreciation Day 2025

26 Jan 2024

Looking Back at 2023991 KB

Presented in CRCS Forum

6 Jan 2023

Looking Back at 2022594 KB

Presented in CRCS Forum

20 Jan 2022

Looking Back at 2020-2021906 KB

Presented in CRCS Forum

3 Dec 2019

Looking Back at 2019475 KB

Presented in CRCS Forum

7 Dec 2018

Common GCP Inspection Findings in 2018428 KB

Presented in CRCS Forum

1 Dec 2017

Common GCP Inspection Findings in 2017595 KB

Presented in Combined CRP-CRCS Forum

16 Jan 2017Common GCP Inspection Findings in 2016309 KB
3 Dec 2015

Common GCP Inspection Findings in 2015498 KB

Presented in Combined CRP-CRCS Forum

12 Dec 2014

Common GCP Inspection Findings in 20141082 KB

Presented in Combined CRP-CRCS Forum

13 Nov 2013

Common GCP Inspection Findings in 2013902 KB

Presented in Combined CRP-CRCS Forum

2012Common GCP Inspection Findings in 20121591 KB
2011

Common GCP Inspection Findings in 2011881 KB

Case Studies from GCP Inspections in 20112206 KB

2010Common GCP Inspection Findings in 2010738 KB