The device center says it had $18.4 million in user fees remaining as of Oct. 1 to continue its work focused solely on user-fee funded activities, but the agency is unsure how long the funds will last if the government shutdown continues.
CDRH says it had $18.4 million remaining in medical device fiscal year 2013 user fees as of Oct. 1 to use on reviewing already-submitted device applications and other user-fee funded activities. But the agency can’t say how much longer the funds will last if the government shutdown continues.
“My understanding is that the medical device user-fee carryover probably will only sustain people working for about a month, plus...
The US FDA has given up on its effort to regulate lab-developed tests as medical devices, at least for now. The agency will not appeal a decision from the Eastern District of Texas that tossed out the FDA’s final rule, leaving the agency with few cards.
During MD&M East in Manhattan last week, a panel of experts discussed how the Trump administration’s trade policy is affecting manufacturing and offered some ideas on what manufacturers can do to help mitigate the chaos.
A battle may be forming over the 2027 FDA user fee reauthorizations. At a conference Friday, Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss supports them for their effectiveness, while Deputy FDA Commissioner Grace Graham echoed criticisms from HHS Sec. Kennedy, among others, in calling for reform to ensure public trust.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized administrative cost reductions and defended budget decisions during a Senate hearing on HHS funding. Some senators, however, expressed concerns over the impacts spending cuts had on essential health programs.
Preparations for the reauthorization of the Medical Device User Fee Amendments for 2028-2032 are underway, with the US FDA announcing a public meeting for 4 August. After negotiations with industry and other stakeholders, a draft agreement is due to Congress by 15 January 2025.
Robert Foster, HHS deputy general counsel and chief counsel for food, research and drugs, is temporarily heading the Office of Chief Counsel, but a permanent appointee is expected after Michael Stuart's confirmation as HHS general counsel.
The US FDA recently published a draft guidance document for manufacturers of mesh products that are used during several types of hernia repair procedures.
