What are "essential documents" as defined by ICH E6?

Essential documents, as defined by ICH E6, are those that facilitate the conduct of a clinical trial and demonstrate compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP). These documents play a critical role in ensuring that the trial is conducted ethically, that data is reliable, and that participant rights and safety are protected.

Essential documents include items like the clinical trial protocol, informed consent forms, case report forms, and any regulatory approvals. By maintaining a comprehensive set of these documents, sponsors and researchers can provide evidence that they have followed the required procedures and regulations throughout the trial. This is vital not only for ensuring the integrity of the data collected but also for meeting regulatory standards and facilitating future regulatory review.

In contrast, the other options do not encompass the full breadth of what constitutes essential documents within the context of ICH E6. Regulatory review alone does not cover the broader scope of compliance and conduct that essential documents address. Marketing materials are not part of this definition, as they focus more on promotional aspects rather than trial integrity. Lastly, while financial agreements might be important for operational aspects of a trial, they do not inherently demonstrate compliance with GCP or the conduct of trials like essential documents do.