Electronic Study Data Submission; Data Standards; Support for the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is encouraging sponsors and applicants to provide Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) codes (available at http://loinc.org/) for clinical laboratory test results in investigational study data provided in regulatory submissions submitted to the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and to the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. LOINC code is defined as electronic messages for laboratory test results and clinical observations. The decision to adopt LOINC for lab test results is part of a larger FDA effort to align the use of data standards for clinical research with ongoing nationwide health information technology initiatives. FDA invites public comment on appropriate steps the Agency could take to promote the use and utility of LOINC-coded clinical data submitted to the Agency. The LOINC common terminology will be listed in the FDA Data Standards Catalog that is posted to FDA's Study Data Standards Resources Web page at http://www.fda.gov/forindustry/ datastandards/studydatastandards/default.htm.