VR Devices Focus Of FDA Patient Engagement Advisory Committee

The emerging technology carries benefits and risks

The US agency’s Patient Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC) held a webinar to evaluate the benefits and risks of virtual and augmented reality medical devices, the need for patient education on the technology, and how patient perspectives can better inform the agency’s decision making in bringing these devices to market.

Patient using VR technology
• Source: Shutterstock

Imagine someone wearing a headset to virtually experience routine activities that most take for granted, such as shopping or simply walking to the mailbox. Then upon successful completion of the activity a voice applauds the user and offers encouragement to attempt another task.

More from Regulation

Regulatory Experts Alarmed By Credible April Fool’s About US Targeting EU Notified Bodies

 

A seemingly humorous social media post on April Fool’s Day struck a nerve with regulatory experts, reflecting real concerns about recent actions by the US Food and Drug Administration.

US Could Lose Its First Approver Advantage After FDA Layoffs

Mass FDA layoffs on 1 April were designed to spare product reviewers, but still touched many who are critical to the application review process or drug development, which could mean fewer treatments are brought to the US market first.

Staff Cuts At CDRH Focus On Administrative Workers, Spare Reviewers

 

About 200 staff in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health were among the 3,500 FDA employees let go in today’s staff reductions. The cuts, which one employee described as a “Manhattan Project” to the center, are already having a major effect on staff morale.

Whitaker Wants Congress To Capitalize On ‘Golden Age Of Medical Innovation’

AdvaMed’s top priorities for the 119th Congress include modernizing US Medicare services and expanding patients’ access to the latest medical technologies.

More from Policy & Regulation

Global Medtech Guidance Tracker: March 2025

 
• By 

Stay current on regulatory guidelines from around the world with Medtech Insight's Guidance Tracker. Over 40 documents have been posted on the tracker since its last update.

Whitaker Wants Congress To Capitalize On ‘Golden Age Of Medical Innovation’

AdvaMed’s top priorities for the 119th Congress include modernizing US Medicare services and expanding patients’ access to the latest medical technologies.

First At-Home Test For Multiple STIs Gets FDA Clearance

 
• By 

The Visby Medical Women’s Sexual Health Test is the first over-the-counter test cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration to detect chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. It delivers results in about 30 minutes.