The public part of the DRKS-register is freely accessible to all interested users. You can use the function "study search" to search for clinical studies that have already been registered.
The "Search term" field allows you to search for one or more words. The following fields are searched and the studies found are displayed sorted by relevance:

• Title of the study
• Brief summary in scientific language
• Brief summary in lay language
• DRKS ID

You can narrow the search down using further search filters from the areas "General", "Recruitment" or "Study design". You can select search filters individually or in combination.

Please note that studies conducted in Germany may also be listed in other registries. You can find more information in the FAQ - In which other registries are studies conducted in Germany registered?

Search Manual

You can find more tips and tricks regarding our search-tool in following guide:

Data Export

Subject to our Terms of Use, you can export individual or multiple studies from the DRKS in various formats. A detailed explanation can be found in our DRKS online help - public area.

Feedback

By the way, the extension of the full-text search to all DRKS fields is planned. Do you have further suggestions for improving the search? Feel free to write to us at DRKS@bfarm.de.

Data Quality

Attention: Some errors occurred, when the study data from the old system was transferred to the new DRKS application on 29.11.2022. They are described in the following document and should be taken into account when interpreting the search results. DRKS database errors before 29.11.2022.

DRKS Terms of Use

The following terms of use apply to the use of all data received from the DRKS, regardless of format and collection method.

1. DRKS database

   • The DRKS database is provided by the BfArM to act as a central point of contact to offer the public an overview of clinical trials conducted in Germany.
   • The contents of the database are entered and, if necessary, updated by the respective persons responsible for the study and approved by the BfArM following a quality assurance procedure.
   • The entry of information on clinical trials in Germany in the DRKS is voluntary.
   • The DRKS data are publicly accessible and free of charge.
   • As the primary registry for Germany recognised by the World Health Organisation, the contents of the database are submitted to the World Health Organisation and made accessible on the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP).

2. Responsibility and Liability

   • The information may contain opinions or recommendations of third parties that do not necessarily correspond to the opinion of the BfArM.
   • The BfArM as operator and provider of the DRKS neither expressly nor implicitly assumes any guarantee or warranty for the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the data contained in the database.
   • The BfArM is not liable for the use of the contents. None of the information contained in the DRKS may be used in any way in clinical care without consultation with a physician or licensed healthcare professional. The BfArM expressly excludes any liability for any damages that users may suffer directly, indirectly or as a consequence of using the data in the DRKS database.

3. Copyright and Use of Content

   • The BfArM is not the exclusive rights owner of the deposited studies. They are not so-called ‘other official works’ within the meaning of Section 5 (2) of the German Copyright Act (UrhG). For the authorship and rights holder of a study, please contact the author of the respective study.
   • The BfArM is the rights owner of the database.

   • Authorship

     • The data entered for studies registered by 2024 or last updated before 2025 may be subject to copyright. Any further copyright-relevant use (e.g. in particular distribution, reproduction, or public communication) is not permitted without the consent of the copyright owner.
     • Data entered for studies registered from 2025 or last updated in 2025 are subject to the conditions of the Open Data Licence CC BY 4.0.
   • The source of the data (DRKS) must always be indicated for any action relevant to copyright in relation to the data from the database (i.e. in particular distribution, duplication or public communication) or any making available of the data to third parties.
   • Whenever data is made available to third parties, the date on when the data was obtained from the DRKS must always be clearly indicated.
   • The DRKS logo may not be used without the consent of the BfArM.