Who must review proposed payment from a sponsor to a patient for participation in a clinical trial?

The correct answer highlights the essential role of an Independent Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Independent Ethics Committee (IEC) in overseeing ethical considerations related to clinical trials. This body is responsible for protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects involved in clinical research. When it comes to proposed payments or any financial incentives for participation in a clinical trial, the Independent IRB/IEC must review these arrangements carefully.

Their review is crucial to ensure that the compensation offered does not unduly influence a participant's decision to enroll in the study, which could compromise informed consent or lead to ethical concerns about coercion. The IRB/IEC aims to balance fair compensation for participants' time and expenses with the need to maintain the integrity of the research process.

The other options involve important aspects of a clinical trial's oversight but do not specifically have the same responsibility regarding the review of financial arrangements with patients. While a patient's physician may provide guidance on medical aspects and the welfare of the patient, they typically do not have the authority to approve payment arrangements. The ethics committee of the research institution may play a role similar to that of an Independent IRB/IEC, but it is often the independent body that serves as the formal reviewer for these types of financial proposals. A study