Policy & Regulation
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Q&A
Friday Q&A: Stanford Biodesign’s Makower on expediting Medicare coverage for breakthrough devices
The director and co-founder of the Stanford Byers Center for Biodesign has been urging CMS to get patients access to breakthrough devices.
By Susan Kelly • Updated May 26, 2023 -
Boston Scientific cancels $230M stent deal after regulators erect barriers to acquisition
The Federal Trade Commission said Boston Scientific took the action in response to investigations by its staff and overseas enforcement partners.
By Nick Paul Taylor • May 26, 2023 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Intuitive SurgicalTrendlineMore mergers, new diabetes devices and the road to MDR: Medtech trends in 2023
Medical device leaders expect financial pressures to ease as companies navigate regulatory changes in Europe, planned spinoffs and product launches.
By MedTech Dive staff -
FDA teams with Veterans Health Administration to make medtech supply chains more resilient
Rather than amassing reserves of physical supplies, “digital stockpiles” would create a network of trusted suppliers that have the ability to make products at or near the point of use.
By Nick Paul Taylor • May 24, 2023 -
Beta Bionics wins FDA nod to challenge Medtronic for automated insulin pump market
Beta Bionics’ device, aimed at people with Type 1 diabetes, has eliminated most of the data entry required by competitors.
By Nick Paul Taylor • May 22, 2023 -
Retrieved from Istock.
Thermo Fisher gets FDA clearance for first blood test of severe preeclampsia risk
A study found the test is a better predictor of the risk of developing preeclampsia with severe features than standard clinical measures.
By Nick Paul Taylor • May 22, 2023 -
Carol Highsmith. (2005). "The Apex Building" [Photo]. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
FTC moves to strengthen Health Breach Notification Rule’s applicability to digital health apps
Regulators are increasingly leaning on the HBNR to crack down on the sharing of sensitive medical data, and the FTC is looking to strengthen its case.
By Rebecca Pifer • May 18, 2023 -
Rapid AI adoption could cause medical errors, patient harm, WHO warns, urging oversight
Warning that caution is not being exercised with use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, the World Health Organization called for rigorous oversight of the new technology.
By Susan Kelly • May 17, 2023 -
Abbott wins FDA spinal cord stimulation approval to challenge Nevro for back pain market
The label expansion comes 16 months after Nevro won FDA approval in non-surgical refractory back pain and four months after Boston Scientific released data on its rival device.
By Nick Paul Taylor • Updated May 17, 2023 -
AdvaMed cites EPA’s own impact assessment to push back against ethylene oxide proposals
Medtech firms and environmental regulators are at loggerheads as the industry looks for a safe and cost-effective alternative to ethylene oxide for sterilizing reusable devices.
By Nick Paul Taylor • May 12, 2023 -
New breast cancer screening guidelines could boost mammography sales
Hologic, which makes mammography machines, could see an increase in its installed base, according to Needham analysts.
By Elise Reuter • May 9, 2023 -
FDA calls for ‘nimble’ regulation of ChatGPT-like models to avoid being ‘swept up quickly’ by tech
The head of the agency said the models are “ushering in the revolution that many of us were hoping for,” but cautioned that the sector will need to be regulated appropriately.
By Nick Paul Taylor • May 9, 2023 -
Boston Scientific gets DOJ subpoena for documents related to heart monitoring
The disclosure comes as cardiac monitoring device maker iRhythm also said it received a request from the Justice Department.
By Susan Kelly • May 5, 2023 -
CDC Director Walensky to step down in June
Rachel Walensky, who has served as director since 2001, was criticized for the federal government’s handing of the pandemic, announcing in August last year that she planned to reorganize the CDC.
By Sydney Halleman • May 5, 2023 -
FDA posts draft guidance on studying medical devices in decentralized clinical trials
Analysts at Cowen said the draft could reassure sponsors they can run decentralized trials without complicating approvals.
By Nick Paul Taylor • May 4, 2023 -
Great Britain proposes allowing CE marks until 2030 to minimize Brexit disruption
The extended timeline to create a new regulatory system in England, Scotland and Wales is intended to prevent medical device shortages.
By Nick Paul Taylor • May 1, 2023 -
Illumina gets cybersecurity warning from FDA over sequencing software
The vulnerability could result in an attacker gaining control of an instrument remotely and altering genomic data results, the agency said.
By Susan Kelly • Updated April 28, 2023 -
Medtronic diabetes warning letter lifted by FDA
The resolution will allow Medtronic to bring new products to market faster, such as its new continuous glucose monitor, Simplera.
By Elise Reuter • April 25, 2023 -
Medtronic wins FDA approval for long-delayed MiniMed 780G insulin pump
Analysts called the FDA approval a “positive” for Medtronic that “should somewhat aid in a turnaround of its U.S. diabetes franchise.”
By Nick Paul Taylor • April 24, 2023 -
Supreme Court maintains access to abortion pill, blocking restrictions on its use
The decisions stayed by the Supreme Court could affect future challenges to the FDA’s authority to regulate drugs and medical devices.
By Delilah Alvarado • Updated April 22, 2023 -
Report names connected medical devices with the biggest cybersecurity risks
The findings come as medical device makers face upcoming FDA requirements for providing cybersecurity information as part of their pre-market submissions.
By Nick Paul Taylor • April 21, 2023 -
Opinion
Ending free COVID tests risks worsening the pandemic
If Americans start paying out of pocket for COVID tests, they'll test much less — if at all, argue representatives of the Testing at Home Coalition.
By Amy Kelbick and Eric Zimmerman • April 20, 2023 -
Abbott hit with FDA warning letter over unapproved changes to heart disease test
The FDA said that four changes made to the tests “could significantly affect the safety or effectiveness of the devices.”
By Nick Paul Taylor • Updated April 20, 2023 -
Fresenius flags fault with infusion system acquired last year in $240M deal
Fresenius noted a problem with the devices that can cause loss of power, potentially delaying or interrupting the supply of critical fluids and medications.
By Nick Paul Taylor • April 20, 2023 -
Post-approval modification of high-risk devices linked to 30% jump in recall risk: study
The authors suggest improved post-marketing surveillance systems may be needed to mitigate risks to patient safety.
By Nick Paul Taylor • April 18, 2023 -
Zimmer’s ‘smart knee’ implant may qualify for new technology payments from CMS
If finalized, the add-on payments would help cover the cost of the sensor technology included in the company’s Persona IQ knee implants.
By Elise Reuter • April 12, 2023