FDA Proposes New Draft Guidance for Diagnostic, Radiology Devices

The US Food and Drug Administration (Silver Spring, MD, USA) has eased premarket notification requirements for certain in vitro diagnostic and radiology devices with well-established safety and effectiveness profiles.

The draft guidance lists 30 different device types, including common urine and blood tests, alcohol breath tests, blood clotting protein tests, and radiology device accessories, such as film cassettes, film processors, and digitizers. FDA intends to exempt these devices from premarket notification requirements through the appropriate regulatory processes. In the meantime, however, FDA does not intend to enforce the premarket notification requirements with respect to these devices provided that they do not exceed the limitations on exemption specified in the device classification regulations.

In the future, the FDA also intends to reduce the premarket regulatory burden on additional in vitro diagnostic and radiology device types.

"The safety and effectiveness of these devices have been well demonstrated over the years," said Jeffrey Shuren, MD, director of FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "By addressing the risk level of these devices, the agency is taking a smart regulatory approach that eases unnecessary requirements for manufacturers, while making sure the public has safe and effective devices."

The device types listed in the draft guidance include devices identified by the FDA as those for which less stringent oversight would not compromise public health.

The FDA is seeking further comment on the draft guidance from manufacturing, clinical, and patient communities. The draft guidance is open for comment for 90 days.

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices.

For more information regarding the enforcement policy for premarket notification requirements for certain in vitro diagnostic and radiology devices please see Related Links below.

Related Links:
US Food and Drug Administration
US FDA Medical Device Regulation and Guidance Document