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  • Medical Devices

    • FDA Issues Final Rule on Medical Device Classification ProceduresJanuary 24th, 2019

      On December 17, 2018, FDA published a final rule, Medical Device Classification Procedures: Incorporating Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act Procedures, to amend its regulations governing classification and reclassification of medical devices to align with the relevant portions of the Federal Food, Drug, …

    • AdvaMed Updates Code of EthicsJanuary 17th, 2019

      On January 9, 2019, the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) announced updates to its “Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals” (Code).  The Code was last updated in 2008; the newest updates will become effective on January 1, 2020. The Code includes new sections …

    • Updated CLIA Waiver Guidances Lack Details in Original DraftJanuary 14th, 2019

      In the midst of the government shutdown and with its accompanying lull in new FDA documents, we thought it would be a good time to update our readers on some guidances that were issued late last year.  Two such notable draft guidances were the, “Select …

    • FDA Solicits Feedback on Grace Period Timing for GUDID SubmissionsJanuary 11th, 2019

      On December 18, 2018, FDA opened a docket for public comment regarding its intention to shorten the grace period for Global Unique Device Identification Database (GUDID) submissions from thirty days to seven days.  The grace period starts when Device Identified (DI) information is first entered …

    • A Pair of FDC Act-Related Convictions Upheld on Appeal in the Eighth and Eleventh CircuitsJanuary 10th, 2019

      In two unrelated cases, two U.S. Courts of Appeal affirmed FDC Act-related convictions earlier this week.  In United States v. Patino, the Eighth Circuit held that it was not an abuse of discretion to allow the government to introduce, in connection with a 2016 prosecution …

    • HP&M Releases 2018 Litigation BriefingJanuary 9th, 2019

      Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. (“HP&M”) is pleased to present its annual report highlighting the leading cases and settlements from 2018 that affect the FDA- and DEA-regulated industries. Each page provides a concise summary of the relevant facts and key takeaways for our clients. We …

    • Does the 510(k) Program Need Predicate Modernization?January 8th, 2019

      The 510(k) program is based on substantial equivalence.  A 510(k) submitter wishing to market a new device must establish that it is as safe and effective as a legally marketed device that has already received clearance.  The baseline comparison device is known as a “predicate …

    • Congratulations to HPM’s Newest Director, Allyson MullenJanuary 7th, 2019

      Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. (HPM) is pleased to announce Allyson B. Mullen has become its newest Director.  Allyson joined HPM in June 2013.  Since that time, her years of service have made significant contributions to the firm and its clients. Prior to joining HPM, Allyson served …

    • Breakthrough Designation Guidance FinalizedJanuary 7th, 2019

      On December 18, 2018, FDA issued a final guidance document on the Breakthrough Devices Program created by the 21st Century Cures Act.  The Breakthrough Device Program is meant to speed access to new devices that treat or diagnose “life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions.”  …

    • FDA Formally Recognizes First Public Genetic Information DatabaseDecember 25th, 2018

      For the first time, FDA formally recognized a public database containing information about genes, genetic variants, and their relationship to disease.  FDA announced its formal recognition of the genetic variant information in Clinical Genomic Resource (ClinGen) consortium’s ClinGen Expert Curated Human Genetic Data, a database …

    • Comment on FDA’s Notice of Intent to Consider the Appropriate Classification of Hyaluronic Acid Intra-articular Products Intended for the Treatment of Pain in Osteoarthritis of the Knee Based on Scientific EvidenceDecember 19th, 2018

      On December 18, 2018, FDA published in the Federal Register a new docket entitled, “Notice of Intent to Consider the Appropriate Classification of Hyaluronic Acid Intra-articular Products Intended for the Treatment of Pain in Osteoarthritis of the Knee Based on Scientific Evidence.” This document is quite …

    • Comments on FDA’s Proposed Rule Governing the De Novo Classification ProcessDecember 13th, 2018

      On December 4, 2018, FDA issued a proposed rule that would govern the de novo classification process.  After a comment period, it may be re‑issued as a final rule to take affect 90 days after publication.   While we agree with FDA’s goal of creating greater …

    • Failure to File Adverse Event Reports Results in Criminal Pleas for Medical Device Company and Quality ManagerDecember 12th, 2018

      Duodenoscopes are flexible, lighted tubes that are threaded through the body into the top of the small intestine (duodenum) and allow doctors to see potential problems in the pancreas and bile ducts. Because duodenoscopes are reusable devices, they must be reprocessed (cleaned) after each use …

    • Medical Device Enforcement and Quality ReportDecember 3rd, 2018

      In light of recent criticism of FDA’s oversight of medical devices, it is curious why FDA did not release a report touting the success of its enforcement activities with the same fanfare as its report on its plan to modernize the 510(k) program, which we reported …

    • FDA Relaxes UDI Compliance Deadlines in New Guidance DocumentNovember 29th, 2018

      On November 5, 2018, FDA issued its latest UDI policy “Unique Device Identification: Policy Regarding Compliance Dates for Class I and Unclassified Devices and Certain Devices Requiring Direct Marking,” deferring enforcement of direct marking deadlines. The new guidance, effective immediately, supersedes the guidance issued in …