International News In Brief

Reprocessed single-use devices: An opinion on the safety of reprocessed single-use devices from the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks, an independent advisory committee to the European Commission, identifies several potential hazards of re-using single-use devices that may lead to patient risk. The opinion confirms medical device trade association Eucomed's position on reprocessing risks and the need to warn users, patients and hospital managers on the "short-sighted economic benefits that are expected from the legalization of the reprocessing of single-use devices," particularly when such devices that are designated "critical use" are used during invasive medical procedures, the European trade association says. Reprocessing of single-use devices is currently not regulated at the EU level, and member-state policies vary. The European Commission is expected to present a report on the topic to the European Parliament and Council by September