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US Regulatory Roundup, 2018: 5 Core Issues That Help Explain The Year In Medtech Policy

 
• By David Filmore

Global harmonization, regulatory innovation, rising safety scrutiny, medtech reimbursement hopes and global trade threats were key underlying concepts for the medtech regulatory and policy environment in 2018. Here's a spotlight on those issues and the top 30 articles from last year.

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Although 2018 ended with a government shutdown, for most of the year, new proposals and programs flowed out of Scott Gottlieb's US FDA at a mile-a-minute. It remains to be seen what elements of the agenda will end up as lasting components of US device regulation, but there is no question that the past year has been a period of regulatory innovation, with multiple pilots picking up speed, major reforms announced, and restructurings pursued.

Much of FDA's recent reform plans have been framed as paths to streamlining regulations and supporting the US as a go-to market for medtech. But as the year progressed,...

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More from Regulation

Zika Virus Test Among 4 New FDA Device Classifications

 
• By Elizabeth Orr

The FDA plans to announce class II status for four new device types, including tests for the Zika virus and genetic condition Fragile X. This follows earlier announcements and highlights a trend toward diagnostic classifications. The classifications are considered deregulatory, meaning they will hel

Industry Execs Talk Tariff Turbulence During MD&M East

 
• By Brian Bossetta

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.

Commission’s Flora Giorgio Says Simplification And Safety Are Key In Evolving EU Regs

 
• By Amanda Maxwell

Predictability, proportionality, stability, harmonization and simplification offer the right way forward to address the challenging unintended effects of the EU medical device regulations, the European Commission’s head of devices tells the EU’s largest annual medtech conference.

Plans For Specific EU Orphan And Pediatric Device Expert Panel Need To Go Further

 
• By Amanda Maxwell

Moves are at last underway for a more specific focus on orphan and pediatric devices. They are a start; but experts are calling for more to support this sector.

More from Policy & Regulation

Pathogen Sharing System Part Of Global Pandemic Agreement

 
• By Neena Brizmohun

Now that the landmark Pandemic Agreement has finally been adopted, work will start on drafting a pathogen access and benefit sharing system that will be voluntary for use by drug companies.

FDA Halts Acceptance Of Chinese Lab Data Due To Accuracy Issues

 
• By Elizabeth Orr

The FDA has stopped accepting data from two Chinese labs due to accuracy issues. Mid-Link and SDWH have been flagged for potentially falsified results and other misconduct. This decision, which follows months of discussions and warnings, emphasizes the FDA's commitment to ensuring data integrity in medical device submissions.

Swiss Medtechs Advised To Work On US Tariff Mitigation Strategies

 
• By Ashley Yeo

The US’ 90-day suspension of higher “reciprocal tariffs” will expire on 9 July, raising fears that the 31% tariff rate on Swiss medtech and other goods exported to the US might make a comeback. While the tariff situation changes on an almost daily basis, medtechs should forearm for any eventually, say local business organizations.