August 9, 2018
By David Jensen, Staff Writer, MasterControl
The inclusion of software in medical devices is opening up new avenues for health care treatments. However, it also means medical devices are becoming more complex. New innovations in medical device development should compel device manufacturers to revamp their design and development strategies. More time and effort needs to be spent on design control, risk management and cybersecurity. The increase of software in medical devices will a noticeable impact on the approaches to medical device design and manufacturing.
August 7, 2018
By Julio G. Martinez-Clark, CEO, LATAM Market Access
Don’t get bit by piranhas and crocodiles when entering Latin America’s lucrative $31 billion medical device manufacturing industry. Learn from a pro the tips, strategies and trends you’ll need to be successful in the golden medtech market in North and South America.
July 31, 2018
By Tifany Desprez, Apsalys, a MasterControl Partner
France and Europe are witnessing an explosion of life science innovation from new startups. But what separates the winners from the losers? Learn how to successfully overcome regulatory barriers and get your product to market quicker.
July 12, 2018
By Jerry Chapman, GMP Consultant and Editor-in-chief, Xavier Health
The second part of a two-part blog post that examines the importance of the emerging technology of artificial intelligence and the potential is has to bring about a massive shift in quality management for pharma and medical device manufacturers.
Xavier Health takes a closer look on how to prepare and assess the readiness of your company to implement AI.
July 10, 2018
By Jerry Chapman, GMP Consultant and Editor-in-chief, Xavier Health
FDA officials believe that artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to bring about a step change in quality management in the pharma and medical device industries. Xavier Health has assembled a team of multidisciplinary experts to take a closer at the possibilities and roadblocks AI presents to quality management in both industries. Part 1 of a two-part series.
July 5, 2018
By James Jardine, GxP Lifeline Editor, MasterControl
Radical, whirlwind change is a core feature of the medical device industry. A clinical/regulatory expert provides insight into the clinical developments currently shaking up the device world and explains how device companies can adapt and thrive in a burgeoning industry that seems to reinvent itself daily.
June 14, 2018
By Jonathan M. Lewis, Prinicipal, Advanced Biomedical Consulting
A vendor qualification program is a practical and compliant methodology you can implement to vet and manage vendors and make well-informed purchasing decisions.
May 15, 2018
By Terry Walsh, Director APAC, MasterControl
The speed at which the medical device industry is changing and evolving is perhaps unrivaled in the life sciences industry. Medical device manufacturers are experiencing disruption from small companies and startups entering the market1, tech giants like Amazon are investigating and investing in medical device expertise and cybersecurity concerns are on the rise.
April 12, 2018
By David Jensen, Staff Writer, MasterControl
At the beginning of each year, it’s intriguing to look into a crystal ball to get a glimpse of what the upcoming year will look like. Given how fast technology evolves, if you so much as blink you could miss out on critical insight regarding some new trends.
February 9, 2018
By Jake Walton, Corporate Operations Quality Manager, MasterControl
This blog post is part of an ongoing series to provide the latest tips from experts in the field to help readers keep up with changes in the quality and regulatory industry .
January 23, 2018
By Jake Walton, Corporate Operations Quality Manager, MasterControl
External consulting firms can be used to provide expert help for many of the standard responsibilities that the quality department is tasked with. These external organizations are ready to provide you with the necessary documents to get on your approved supplier list, and can jump into work at various stages. Look for organizations that have specialized experience in the area(s) you are looking for and they can quickly and effectively help.
January 11, 2018
By Mary Lewis, Senior Clinical Research Specialist, IMARC
Manufacturers have used a quality systems approach to ensure consistency within their processes for years, but the FDA is now encouraging clinical researchers to take a similar approach to medical device trials.
January 4, 2018
By Mike Rigert, Staff Writer, MasterControl
A little over a year ago, the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) released its draft guidance (1) regarding a newer, skyrocketing segment of the medical device industry—that of Software as a Medical Device (SaMD). The guidance means to address the emergence of thousands of stand-alone, health-oriented software apps that fall into a gray area in terms of regulation. Obviously, SaMDs aren’t traditional medical devices, but neither are they Pokémon Go.
When an FDA inspector comes to your door, it is usually a time of stress and uncertainty. You need to handle logistical elements like where the inspectors are going to be placed, how you.
July 11, 2017
By Keith Matthews, Director Quality Systems, Regulatory Compliance Associates Inc.
Developing a quality system is the foundation for ensuring the organization’s products or services are safe, effective and controlled to deliver customer satisfaction. Throughout the organization’s lifecycle, from start-up through maturity, the quality needs of the firm, along with its budget constraints, are continually evolving. Maintaining compliance with regulations while controlling costs represents a challenging balancing act we encounter in our life science consultancy.
June 8, 2017
By Vivian Bringslimark, President and Owner, HPIS Consulting, Inc.
While training may appear to be straightforward to most leaders, the effectiveness follow up is anything but clear-cut. So why do business leaders frown when the answer to the training effectiveness question is – it depends?
May 23, 2017
By Marci Crane, Staff Writer, MasterControl
It’s difficult to label any phobia as the “strangest” because most phobias are considered kooky, weird or downright bizarre. Phobias are also nearly impossible to understand with the logical mind – they just don’t seem to make sense! However, for those experiencing a true phobia, logic doesn’t make one bit of difference. The terror is still alive and well.
April 18, 2017
By Karl Vahey, Director of Compliance, International RA/QA, Covidien
Why should medical device manufacturers perform failure investigations? One reason is that it is a regulatory requirement. The Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR 820) in areas such as Non-Conforming Product, Corrective and Preventive Action and Complaint Files describes the requirements for failure investigations. Performing effective failure investigations is also good business practice which can lead to reduction in scrap and rework, process improvements and the elimination of recurring issue
April 17, 2017
By Dan O'Leary, President, Ombu Enterprises
Process validation is an essential part of medical device manufacturing but doesn't always receive the attention it deserves (and requires). The regulations provide the requirements (FDA QSR 820.75 and ISO 13485 7.5.2), but often manufacturers don't completely understand them and don't fully implement them. The consequences can be audit findings from a Notified Body or Inspectional Observations on an FDA 483.
