March 11, 2021
By José Mora, Owner, Atzari Enterprises, L.L.C.
Controlled documents tend to be weighed down with unnecessary information. When lean principles are applied to documentation practices, it becomes evident that most documents can be trimmed down to a comprehensive and useful level while maintaining compliance.
February 15, 2021
By Christine Park, Founder and Consultant, Christine Park & Associates
The FDA has increased focus on the effectiveness of failure investigations during inspections in recent years. A review of 483 observations and warning letters clearly demonstrate the agency’s current concern about the adequacy of failure investigations to truly identify root cause.
February 4, 2021
By David Jensen, Staff Writer, MasterControl
An Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) is a regulatory option that allows an investigational medical device to be used in a clinical study in order to collect safety and effectiveness data. This article explains why medical device manufacturers would seek an IDE and how they apply for the designation.
January 4, 2021
By Regina Fullin, Vice President of RA/QA Consulting, Compliance Team
With 2020 behind us, let’s take stock of what happened during the year and how the face of regulated medical industry has changed. Heading into 2021, be ready for remote options, deferred enforcement of regulations and more.
December 21, 2020
By David Jensen, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Managing various suppliers is complicated. Lapses in process or product quality along the supply chain can have a negative impact on the end product. This article includes five best practices for establishing more effective oversight of suppliers throughout the supply chain.
November 3, 2020
By David Jensen, Staff Writer, MasterControl
With the fast-approaching Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR), medical device manufacturers will be seeing more documentation requirements. One of the new documents is a summary of safety and clinical performance (SSCP). This is one of the annual reports manufacturers must provide throughout the life cycle of a device in order to remain compliant to sell products in the EU.
August 13, 2020
By Mike Rigert, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Gathering momentum and power like a monster wave, Australia's life sciences sector is increasingly becoming a beacon for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers seeking regulatory approval for their products.
June 23, 2020
By Lynessa Erler, Director of Product Testing at MPR Associates, Inc.
Manufacturers preparing for a first in human (FIH) study of a new medical device face questions. Learn answers about what verification and validation activities are required for a FIH study.
May 26, 2020
By Gert W. Bos, PhD, Fraps, Executive Director and Partner, the QServe Group
The much-anticipated one-year delay of the European Union’s Medical Device Regulation (MDR) finally dropped earlier this month. Gert Bos, Executive Director and Partner of the Qserve Group, breaks down what this means for device manufacturers and for their preparations to recertify under the new regulation through a designated Notified Body.
May 12, 2020
By Mike Rigert, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Technology and digital transformation are rapidly altering the way medical device manufacturers accelerate production and innovate new products. A new e-book “Mastering Data to Drive Medical Device Innovation to 2030” looks at how the medtech ecosystem is moving toward a more data-centric approach to quality manufacturing. Automated solutions integrated into a digital platform offer device makers the tools to generate real-time intelligence and insights that will lead to greater innovation over the next decade.
April 23, 2020
By David Butcher, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Technologies are evolving and maturing, and regulatory bodies are reacting to remove unnecessary roadblocks for device companies while protecting consumer safety. Manufacturing organizations that embrace these opportunities will be better positioned to achieve significant efficiencies in product discovery and development, regulatory compliance and, ultimately, speed to market.
December 10, 2019
By James Jardine, GxP Lifeline Editor, MasterControl
Cochlear’s cochlear implants are more than just groundbreaking medical devices — they’re a life-redefining means through which people with hearing loss to connect with the world. Learn how the company is bringing innovative products to more people in need by accelerating quality and compliance processes with robust digital solutions.
September 17, 2019
By Mike Rigert, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Europe’s new regulation for medical devices, the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) takes effect May 26, 2019. Due to confusion regarding the regulation’s requirements and a lack of Notified Bodies to recertify medical devices under the new law, greater clarity is needed. Learn the latest on the developing situation and what med dev companies can do to prepare to recertify their devices.
August 21, 2019
By Jenny Lin, Consultant, Brandwood CKC
Considering the uncertainties surrounding the European Union’s implementation of the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) beginning in May 2020, many device makers are wondering how to proceed toward certification. Despite a lack of official guidance, there are several steps medical device manufacturers can do to prepare themselves to certify and implement Europe’s new regulations.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to replace the Quality System Regulation (QSR) with ISO 13485. An announcement of a formal rule change is expected this fall, so GxP Lifeline asked three medical device industry experts and the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) to weigh the pros and cons of the plan.
March 28, 2019
By Mike Rigert, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Nothing can result in more frustrations for a medical device manufacturer than the complexities and headaches that occur during the product design approval process. But by developing a comprehensive bill of materials (BOM) strategy that boosts design control, your organization can avoid pitfalls and increase the turnaround time of deliverables.
February 26, 2019
By Grant Bennett, CEO, Brandwood Biomedical
Despite a virtual kaleidoscope of continual regulatory fluctuations, 2019 presents some potentially very attractive market expansion opportunities in Asia-Pacific, including China, India, Australia and Japan. Get a comprehensive overview of device markets and their promising potential.
January 2, 2019
By Alex Butler, Manager of Medical Device Solutions, MasterControl
This is the last article of a three-part series on the need to modernize the FDA’s 510(k) program. This blog post explains why using the strictest standard as the foundation for your submissions worldwide, even in countries that are relatively lenient, is the right thing to do in terms of both ethics and economics.
December 19, 2018
By Alex Butler, Manager of Medical Device Solutions, MasterControl
This is Part 2 of a series of three articles on the need to modernize the FDA’s 510(k) clearance process. This blog post discusses the pros and cons of the program in general and the dangerous loophole in the equivalence approach.
