Volume : 13, Issue : 09, September – 2026
Title:
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DATA SAFETY MONITORING BOARD (DSMB) PRACTICES IN INDIAN CLINICAL TRIALS VERSUS GLOBAL STANDARDS.
Authors :
G. Nithya*, G. Kamal Yadav
Abstract :
Data Safety Monitoring Boards (DSMBs) are independent expert committees established to oversee the safety of participants and the integrity of data in clinical trials. Globally, DSMB practices are shaped by international standards such as the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) Good Clinical Practice guidelines and regulatory guidance from agencies like the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which recommend DSMBs for large, multi-site, or high-risk trials to periodically review accumulating data, assess safety and efficacy, and advise sponsors on trial continuation, modification, or termination. These standards emphasize independence, predefined charters, expertise (e.g., clinicians, biostatisticians), conflict-of-interest management, and confidentiality to uphold ethical and scientific rigour.
Keywords: Data Safety Monitoring Board; DSMB; clinical trials; India; global standards; ICH-GCP; participant safety; data integrity; regulatory frameworks.
Cite This Article:
Please cite this article in press G Nithya et al., Comparative Study Of Data Safety Monitoring Board (Dsmb) Practices In Indian Clinical Trials Versus Global Standards.,. Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2026; 13(09).
REFERENCES:
1. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – Guidelines for Establishing and Operating a Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), highlighting safety oversight expectations and DSMB responsibilities in clinical trials. NIDA
2. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) – DSMB roles, composition, and functions in NIH-supported trials. NIAAA
3. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) – DSMB responsibilities for safety and protocol compliance. NIDCD
4. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) – DSMB requirements in high-impact Phase III trials. NINDS
5. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) – DSMB membership, charters, and meeting requirements. NIEHS
6. NIH/NIDDK – Criteria for DSMB requirement and functions in complex clinical studies. NIDDK
7. NIH/NIDCR DSMB Guidelines – Detailed DSMB roles, meeting formats, and data review criteria. NIDCR
8. NIH NIAMS DSMB/OSMB Policy – DSMB requirements for multicenter and high-risk interventions. NIAMS
9. NIH NIMH Data and Safety Monitoring Plan Guidance – Guidance on developing DSM plans and safety oversight structures. National Institute of Mental Health
10. FDA Guidance: Establishment and Operation of Clinical Trial Data Monitoring Committees – Draft guidance describing DMC/DSMB formation and responsibilities. U.S. Food and Drug Administration




