Policy & Regulation

Behind the scenes, there were many conflicting, but also useful discussions, which ultimately shaped the message the European Parliament delivered to the European Commission in late October about the need for changes to the Medical Device and IVD Regulations.

The US FDA’s advisory panel on general and plastic surgery devices voted in favor of agency approval for a novel medical device for treating early stage, low-risk breast cancer as a potential alternative to lumpectomy. The agency is expected to make its decision on the device early next year.

In this week’s Digital Health Roundup, Medtech Insight’s Marion Webb talks about her interview with GE HealthCare’s chief AI officer Parminder Bhatia about his vision for AI in health care and other highlights from HLTH. Natasha Barrow discusses her interview with Owkin on the EU AI Act and highlights Click Therapeutics’ latest clinical results.

AdvaMed is calling on Medicare to provide coverage for supplemental screenings for women with dense breasts, an anatomical characteristic that puts them at a higher risk for cancer. The trade group says the lack of coverage for additional imaging results in many women not receiving potentially lifesaving follow-up.

This week, renal denervation systems from Medtronic and Recor won Medicare coverage; Boston Scientific bought cardiac-mapping firm Cortex; Veravas and Phanes Biotech teamed up on an Alzheimer’s diagnostic; and more.

New guidelines from the Medical Device Coordination Group explain the policies used by the EU in regulating ethylene oxide for device sterilization.

Stay current on regulatory guidelines from around the world with Medtech Insight's Guidance Tracker. Over 50 documents have been posted on the tracker since its last update.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he will let Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “go wild on medicines” if he wins the White House. That could spell challenges for the US FDA in 2025.

This week, Medtronic and Hologic announced major safety issues; the US government awarded $110m to innovators in women’s health; CDC partnered with Quest on a bird flu diagnostic; and more.

This week, Establishment Labs Holdings announced the FDA gave it premarket approval for Motiva breast implant, Cologuard lands FDA approval for Cologuard Plus and GE HealthCare gets FDA nod for a new imaging agent. The FDA announces another expansion for TAP into ophthalmology and radiology. The AAMI and CTA will join forces to develop standards for AI and ML-enabled health care products.  

Philips has issued a recall of various Trilogy ventilators due to safety issues that may affect their ability to properly function. The US FDA has designated the recall class I, its most serious.

Smiths Medical has recalled scores of Bivona tracheostomy tubes due to a manufacturing defect that can result in disastrous consequences. The company reports multiple injuries, and one death, linked to the devices.

This week, renal denervation systems from Medtronic and Recor won Medicare coverage; Boston Scientific bought cardiac-mapping firm Cortex; Veravas and Phanes Biotech teamed up on an Alzheimer’s diagnostic; and more.

This week, Medtronic and Hologic announced major safety issues; the US government awarded $110m to innovators in women’s health; CDC partnered with Quest on a bird flu diagnostic; and more.

This week, Hologic announced it would pay $350m for uterine fibroid treatment firm Gynesonics; the US FDA authorized a Novocure cancer treatment and a surgical robot from CMR Surgical; and the IMDRF announced 15 new members.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he will let Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “go wild on medicines” if he wins the White House. That could spell challenges for the US FDA in 2025.

The European Parliament is making a formal appeal to the European Commission to accelerate its EU MDR revision plans.

The College of American Pathologists wants a US district court to scrap the FDA’s final rule that unilaterally assumes oversight of lab-developed tests, but not because the college feels the agency has no business regulating them. Helena Duncan, senior director of quality at CAP, explained the college’s position to Medtech Insight.

Highlights from Medtech Insight's on-the-ground coverage of LSX in Boston. 

Despite questions surrounding the SEC rule, including disputes being litigated in the US Eighth Circuit, companies must prepare to meet the new climate disclosure requirements in addition to related mandates in California and abroad. Experts emphasize opportunities beyond compliance.

As the 6 May deadline to implement the FDA’s final rule on lab-developed tests approaches, attempts to stop the rule from taking effect are set to play out in court. A panel of experts discussed the potential impact of these legal efforts, should they be successful, at the Medtech Conference in Toronto.

The College of American Pathologists wants a US district court to scrap the FDA’s final rule that unilaterally assumes oversight of lab-developed tests, but not because the college feels the agency has no business regulating them. Helena Duncan, senior director of quality at CAP, explained the college’s position to Medtech Insight.

The owner of a Chicago COVID-19 testing lab plead guilty to wire fraud for billing the government for COVID-19 tests that were not performed. Also, test developer Talis Biomedical agreed to pay $32.5m to settle a shareholder suit.