Elizabeth Orr

Elizabeth Orr

Managing Editor, Policy & Regulation

Washington, DC

Elizabeth leads a team of Medtech Insight reporters devoted to covering medical device and diagnostics regulation in the US and abroad. As a reporter, she focuses on FDA regulation, legislation, and legal issues. A graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, she worked for outlets including FDA News, DecisionHealth (formerly UCG) and the Washington Examiner before joining Medtech Insight in 2015. She lives in Arlington, VA, with her husband and children.

Latest from Elizabeth Orr

Kennedy Defends Spending Cuts During Contentious Senate Hearing On HHS Budget

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.

Health Secretary Defends Spending Cuts During Senate Hearing On HHS Budget

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.

What’s A Diagnostic? WHO Wants To Know

The World Health Organization is seeking input from stakeholders to create an official definition of the term ‘diagnostics.’ This initiative follows a 2023 resolution aimed at enhancing global diagnostics capacity; the definition, it is hoped, will help drive the creation of effective health policies. Comments will be accepted until 23 May.

First At-Home Cervical Cancer Screening Tool Gets FDA Clearance

The US FDA has approved the Teal Wand, the first at-home cervical cancer screening device. Capable of detecting preclinical cancer with 96% accuracy, it will launch in California in June and expand nationwide soon after.

AI Rollout Aims To Accelerate FDA’s Product Review Process

The FDA plans to implement artificial intelligence in its scientific review process by 30 June, following a successful pilot. The agency hopes the tool will reduce nonproductive tasks for reviewers amid recent staff cuts. A Chief AI Officer will oversee the rollout and integration.

FDA Announces Classifications On 9 Device Types

The US Food and Drug Administration has announced new classifications for eight device types that reached market via the de novo process, with most of the newly classified products in the diagnostics sector.