North America

New FDA Commissioner Makary Could Face Turbulent Waters

 

Stakeholders are pleading for newly confirmed FDA Commissioner Martin Makary to stand up for the agency's high scientific standards and staff as he begins his term.

Research Finds Benefit From DME Suppliers For People Living With Diabetes

 
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People living with diabetes who receive continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) through medical supply firms show higher compliance, lower costs of care, and fewer hospitalizations after one year than those who use pharmacies, a new study shows.

US FDA Should Regulate ‘Dangerous’ Prescription Software Platform As A Medical Device, Says Patient Advocacy Group

The Doctor Patient Forum says the US FDA should regulate a scoring platform from Bamboo Health intended to help clinicians calculate risk for opioid abuse as a medical device to ensure patient safety.

New CLIA Rule Updates Personnel Policies

 
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A new set of clinical lab regulations, which came into effect in January, include higher fees, an expanded set of possible consequences for labs that are not in compliance, and revised employee standards.


One Death Linked To Calyxo Urological System

 

The US FDA has issued an early alert about the CVAC system from Calyxo, which urologists use in removing urinary stones.

Chevron Law Firm Asks Court To Delay CPSC Rule On Infant Loungers

 
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The New Civil Liberties Alliance, which represented a plaintiff in the lawsuit last summer that ended court deference to federal agencies, is asking for a stay on the consumer protection agency’s rule on infant support cushions. The law firm argues that CPSC wrongly used an expedited process to issue the rule.

Drop Email Pronouns And Return To Work, Administration Orders FDA Staffers

 

Chaos continues at the FDA’s device center as reinstated staffers begin daily commutes to comply with the administration’s return to office policy. Staffers can no longer publicly share their pronouns per Trump’s “Defending Women” executive order.

US FDA Teleconferences In As IMDRF Gathers In Tokyo

 
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The International Medical Device Regulators Forum discussed AI regulation, the development of a reliance playbook, and post-market regulation at the group's annual meeting in Tokyo last week. While the US FDA was not on-site, the agency was able to participate virtually.


Quibim Extends Into US Market With FDA Authorization Of QP-Prostate CAD

 

The US FDA's clearance of QP-Prostate CAD positions the company to support US health care providers and growing markets for fusion biopsy and focal therapy, said Quibim CEO and founder Angel Alberich-Bayarri.

Class I Recall On Medtronic Embolization Device After 4 Deaths

 
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The company is recalling Pipeline Vantage 021 and 027 models because they pose a higher than normal risk of failing to properly attach to blood vessel walls, which can cause thrombosis, stroke or death. The recall for 027 is a product removal and for 021 is an update to the instructions for use.

Veteran Senate Staffer Up For FDA’s Top Policy Job, But Will MAHA Stand In Her Way?

 

Industry likely wants Grace Graham to take the FDA’s top policy and legislative role, but she may be passed over for someone more tied to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s interests.

ECRI Ranks Lack Of AI Governance, Cyberattacks Among Top Patient Concerns For 2025

 

Artificial intelligence could compromise patient safety if not properly governed, ECRI said in its new top 10 list of patient concerns for 2025. Other potential hazards include cybersecurity breaches, diagnostic errors, and misinformation.


Dexcom Faces US FDA Warning Amid Agency Review Of 15-Day Sensor

 
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Even if manufacturing challenges don’t derail the 2025 launch plans, the regulatory setback introduces new challenges for Dexcom’s continuous glucose monitors at a time when competition from Abbott and Medtronic is intensifying.

Study: Nearly 30% Of Device Adverse Event Reports Don’t Meet Deadline

 
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Data recently published in The BMJ found that almost 30% of device adverse event reports filed with the US FDA are late or missing accurate date information. A relatively small number of companies account for more than half of the late reports.

Senate Committee Advances Makary Nomination After Last-Minute Hiccup

 

President Trump’s CDC director nominee was pulled after vaccine positions appeared too extreme for some Republicans, but the nominations to lead the FDA and NIH advanced to the Senate floor despite last-minute drama.

Neuromod Raises $10.9M To Grow US Reach And Further Real-World Evidence

 

Dublin-based Neuromod has closed a €10m ($10.9m) series B funding round to bring a "new standard of care" to patients with tinnitus.


Altered EU-US Medtech Trade Dynamics Could Endanger Patient Health

If medtech becomes embroiled in the EU-US trade war, access to critical and innovative medical devices will be under threat.

More FDA Transitions: CDRH Deputy Director Out, New Chief of Staff And General Counsel In

 
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The US FDA is seeing more staff turnover this week, with CDRH deputy director for science Douglas Kelly announcing his departure while the agency gets a new chief counsel and chief of staff.

US Federal Trade Commission Challenges Surmodics-Biocoat Merger Over Antitrust Concerns

 
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A planned merger between medical device coating manufacturers Surmodics and Biocoat is facing an antitrust lawsuit from the US Federal Trade Commission. The FTC believes the move would create an illegal monopoly.

GOP Continuing Resolution Would Fund FDA At 2024 Levels

 

Democrats are raising concerns that the continuing resolution intended to fund the government for the remainder of fiscal year 2025 gives Trump too much power, though it is unclear whether the FDA would be as impacted as other agencies.