United States

Tarver Says Device Shortages For Pediatric Patients A ‘Growing Threat’

 

The director of the US FDA’s device center is sounding the alarm on the scarcity of critical devices for pediatric patients and says the agency is focused on solutions to this “unique” challenge.

Two Deaths Linked To Philips Recall of Heart Monitoring Software

 

A failure to properly route cardiac events has led Philips to recall its heart monitoring software that interprets ECG data. Multiple injuries and two deaths are associated with the problem.

Support of FDA Leadership And Staff Key To Success Of Trump’s Reforms, Recent Commissioners Say

 
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Former FDA commissioners Mark McClellan and Scott Gottlieb, former acting commissioner Janet Woodcock and current commissioner Robert Califf offered advice on successfully implementing reforms and preventing a mass exodus of FDA employees as inklings emerge that the Trump team is already engaged on this front.

US FDA Attempts To Parse Sex Vs. Gender, But Will Politics Interfere?

 

The draft guidance clarifies that sex and gender are not interchangeable, but could be vulnerable in the Trump Administration as Republicans have argued against transgender medical care and that sex and gender must be congruent.


CDRH Report: 24 Voluntary Diversity Action Plans Filed In 2024

 
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While the US FDA will not require diversity action plans for clinical trials for a while, some companies are already sending them in, a new FDA report to Congress shows.

FDA Publishes Final Guidance For Communicating Off-Label Uses. First Amendment Questions Remain

 

The US FDA final guidance uses a Q&A format to help manufacturers navigate the regulatory landscape for communicating the off-label uses of their medical products to health care professionals. However, some say the final document fails to address potential free speech concerns.

FDA Issues Final Guidance For Reporting Medical Device Shortages During Emergencies

 

The US FDA has finalized guidance on notifying the agency of potential device shortages during or prior to a public health emergency. The document includes a list of devices that manufacturers must notify the FDA of when they are in short supply. The guidance also clarifies that device makers voluntarily notify the agency of potential supply chain disruptions at any time.

FDA Drops Draft Guidance For AI-Enabled Medical Device Developers

 

The US FDA has published a draft guidance document for developers of AI-enabled medical devices describing the postmarket management of their products. The guidance offers a comprehensive approach to the management of risk throughout the total product life cycle of a device.


AI Adoption In Pathology Is Lagging: Funding And Clinical Standardization Needed

 

AI diagnostic biotech startup Owkin says AI adoption in digital pathology is slower than in radiology. In a new report, it identifies reimbursement structures and lack of funding and operational resources as barriers to faster adoption.

Medtech 2025: Deregulation, Tariffs Anticipated From New US Administration

The incoming second Trump administration promises changes for medtech that include both the potential benefits of deregulation and the risks of tariffs. See what a dozen-plus industry experts had to say.

Idea Lab Reimagines The Home As A Health Care Center

 

As part of its Home as a Health Care Hub initiative, the US FDA’s device center has unveiled an Idea Lab that includes a virtual reality experiencing offering an inside look at what is possible for patients receiving care at home utilizing the latest digital technologies.

Looking Back At Trump’s First Term Could Help The Medtech Industry Prepare For His Second

 

The medtech industry played a pivotal role in the first Trump administration, most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. But the sector was also impacted by the administration’s deregulation push and trade posture towards China, including tariffs. So, should stakeholders expect more of the same in a second Trump term, or brace for uncertainty and change?


Planned Departure Of FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Could Leave Leadership Vacuum

 
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Namandje Bumpus' departure means there is no obvious, internal candidate to serve as acting commissioner when President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January and the Senate works to confirm a new leader.

BD Pays $175M To Resolve Alaris Infusion Pump Financial Fraud Allegations

 
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The settlement with the SEC closes out safety issues around the company’s Alaris infusion pumps. BD reportedly failed to alert investors or the FDA of known problems with the infusion pumps’ software for several years.

FDA’s First ‘Early Alert’ Under New Communications Pilot Targets Fresenius Infusion Pumps

 

The US FDA has issued its first communication as part of a new pilot program the agency initiated to increase transparency in recalls of high-risk medical devices. The early alerts are meant to minimize the time between the FDA finding out about a potential issue and informing stakeholders.

Penetration Testing Strengthens Medical Device Security Against Emerging Threats

 
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Penetration testing, which involves ethical hackers identifying vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them, is crucial for securing medical devices against cyber threats. The process is essential for compliance with regulations, preventing financial losses, and ensuring patient safety, cybersecurity experts say.


Public-Private Partnerships Praised Amid Criticism of COVID-19 Response

 
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A US House Oversight Committee report criticizes the government's COVID-19 response, including PPE shortages and issues with the CDC’s test development process. However, it praises the successful public-private partnerships in developing diagnostics, emphasizing the importance of leveraging private industry expertise for future pandemic preparedness.

AI Challenges Tops ECRI’s List Of Health Technology Hazards For 2025

 

Patient safety group ECRI put AI-enabled applications at the top of its annual list of health hazards for 2025. The group says that despite its enormous potential, artificial intelligence presents the most significant risk among health technologies going into the new year.

Attorneys Expect OTC Drug User Fee Deal To Shed Light On Trump-Era Device Regulation

 
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Keep an eye on next year’s over-the-counter drug user fee negotiations for insights into the incoming Republican administration's approach to device regulation, attorneys said in a recent webinar. Other areas to watch include AI and diagnostics regulation, with potential bipartisan agreement on AI oversight