FDA plays a critical role in protecting the United States from threats such as emerging infectious diseases, including the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. FDA is committed to providing timely guidance to support response efforts to this pandemic.

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Agency has received a substantially increased volume of individual patient expanded access requests for COVID-19 investigational drugs. Although FDA has issued guidance on expanded access requests, including expanded access for individual patients, the Agency is aware that Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) seek clarity regarding the key factors and procedures IRBs should consider when reviewing individual patient expanded access submissions, including for reviews conducted by a single member of the IRB, to fulfill its obligations under 21 CFR Part 56. Therefore, FDA is issuing this guidance to provide recommendations regarding the key factors and procedures IRBs should consider when reviewing expanded access submissions for individual patient access to investigational drugs for treating COVID-19.