What is the role of the Case Report Form in clinical trials?

The Case Report Form (CRF) plays a crucial role in clinical trials by serving as the primary document for collecting data on each participant's exposure to the investigational product. It helps ensure that the information gathered about the participants is consistent, accurate, and compliant with regulatory standards. By logging the administration or dispensing of the investigational product, the CRF allows researchers to keep a detailed record of outcomes in relation to the treatments given.

While documenting investigational product shipping and recording adverse effects are important components of the study process, they are not the primary function of the CRF. The CRF does typically include sections for monitoring adverse effects, but its main purpose is to facilitate the systematic collection of trial data, including how the investigational product is administered. Summarizing trial findings is also outside the scope of the CRF's function, as that task involves analyzing the collected data after the trial is complete. Thus, the correct answer highlights the essential role of the CRF in tracking the administration of the investigational product as part of ensuring protocol compliance.