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  • Medical Devices

    • FDA Finalizes Guidance on Humanitarian Use Device DesignationsJanuary 29th, 2013

      By Jennifer D. Newberger – On January 24, 2013, FDA finalized the Humanitarian Use Device (HUD) Designations guidance, issued in draft on December 13, 2011.  The guidance addresses HUD requests, a first step in obtaining approval of a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE).  A HUD is a …

    • FDA Issues Final Rule on CGMP Requirements for Combination Products; Requirements for “Convenience Kits” DefinedJanuary 24th, 2013

      By Carmelina G. Allis – The FDA has issued a final rule on the current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) requirements applicable to combination products.  78 Fed. Reg. 4307 (Jan. 22, 2013).  This rule finalizes a proposed rule issued on September 23, 2009.  The new rule, …

    • Real-World Implications of United States v. Caronia – A Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. WebinarJanuary 10th, 2013

      Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. will hold a complimentary webinar on Thursday, January 31, 2013, from 12:00 – 2:00 PM (Eastern) on the Second Circuit's recent and long-awaited decision in United States v. Caronia.  This webinar is not just another summary of the Second Circuit's decision. Nor …

    • FDA Ramps Up Focus on Advertising of Restricted Devices to ConsumersJanuary 7th, 2013

      By Jeffrey K. Shapiro – FDA has enhanced authority over the sale, distribution and use of devices that the agency designates as “restricted.”  21 U.S.C. § 360j(e).  FDA almost always designates Class III devices as “restricted devices” in premarket application (“PMA”) approval orders.  21 U.S.C. …

    • CDRH Releases Three Final Guidance DocumentsJanuary 3rd, 2013

      By Jennifer D. Newberger – On December 31, 2012, CDRH released three final guidance documents, the drafts of which were issued in the summer and fall of 2012.  The quick finalization of these guidance documents is likely due to their fairly uncontroversial nature, since they are …

    • Your Dog as a Medical Device?December 26th, 2012

      By Jennifer D. Newberger & Jeffrey N. Gibbs – A quick Google search of “dog trained to identify medical conditions” indicates that, around the world, dogs are already working with people to help sniff out certain medical conditions.  For example, in the United Kingdom an organization …

    • Support Appears to be Growing to Delay the Medical Device TaxDecember 13th, 2012

      By Carmelina G. Allis – Earlier this month, the IRS published final regulations and interim guidance on the excise tax imposed on the sale of certain medical devices intended for human use pursuant to the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 and the Patient Protection …

    • A Deep Dive Into the Second Circuit’s Caronia Decision, Potential Next Steps, and Potential Enforcement FalloutDecember 12th, 2012

      As we promised in an earlier post, we provide here a deeper analysis of the Second Circuit’s holding in United States v. Caronia and the context in which it should be viewed by industry. Since the 2004 Warner-Lambert settlement, the federal government has investigated hundreds …

    • Job Opportunity: HP&M Seeks Attorney with Medical Device ExperienceDecember 4th, 2012

      Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C., the nation’s largest boutique food and drug regulatory law firm, seeks an associate with three to six years experience in medical device law and regulation to assist with a growing practice.  Strong writing skills are required.  Compensation is competitive and …

    • When a 510(k) or PMA Goes Off Track – FDA’s Appeals Process; An Audio ConferenceDecember 4th, 2012

      The ability to successfully obtain FDA approval is critical to the success of a medical device.  However, sometimes even the most dedicated efforts fall flat when FDA says “No.”  What then?  What can you do if FDA says it believes there is not an adequate …

    • CDRH Issues Report on Improvements in Device ReviewDecember 3rd, 2012

      By Jennifer D. Newberger – On November 28, 2012, CDRH issued a report titled “Improvements in Device Review,” addressing progress in the Center since issuance of its “Plan of Action” in January 2011.  The report states that since the Plan of Action, “the speed and predictability …

    • FDA Seeks Comments on Custom DevicesNovember 20th, 2012

      By Jennifer D. Newberger – Section 520(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ("FDC Act") exempts “custom devices” from the performance standards or premarket approval ("PMA") requirements of sections 514 or 515 if certain criteria are met.  The Food and Drug Administration Safety and …

    • FDA Amends UDI Proposed Rule to Comply with FDASIA RequirementsNovember 19th, 2012

      By Jennifer D. Newberger – FDA is amending its proposed rule to establish a unique device identification (“UDI”) system, published on July 10, 2012 (see our previous post here), to meet the requirements of section 614 of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act …

    • CDRH Reorganizes its Office of Device EvaluationNovember 7th, 2012

      By Jennifer D. Newberger – CDRH recently announced that, as of November 1, 2012, the Office of Device Evaluation ("ODE") has been reorganized.  There are two new divisions—the Division of Surgical Devices and the Division of Neurological and Physical Medicine Devices—and 12 new branches across all …

    • FDA Issues Draft Guidance Regarding the New Electronic Copy (eCopy) Program for Device SubmissionsOctober 25th, 2012

      By Carmelina G. Allis – FDA has issued a draft guidance document to explain how FDA plans to implement the new eCopy program under Section 745A(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDC Act”), which was added by the Food and Drug Administration …