Which document is essential for the FDA approval process after the study's completion?

The essential document for the FDA approval process after the study's completion is the study records. Study records encompass a range of critical information, including data collected during the trial, participant information, adverse events, and analytical results. These records provide the FDA with the comprehensive data necessary to assess the safety and efficacy of the studied intervention.

While case report forms (CRFs), informed consent forms, and study protocols are also important components of the research process, they serve different purposes. CRFs are tools used to collect data in a standardized manner throughout the study. Informed consent forms ensure ethical standards are met by obtaining participants' permission to engage in the study, but they do not provide the comprehensive data needed for regulatory review. The study protocol outlines the design and methodology of the study but is not a repository of data results. Therefore, it is the complete study records that play a vital role in the FDA's evaluation of a new therapy or intervention post-study.