Friday December 19, 2014 (SW51 2014) Send a surprise gift to your friends, sign them up to receive our free weekly Webzine by sending their email address to: white-tillet@white-tillet.com п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· GLOBAL NEWS GLOBAL REGULATORY AFFAIRS EUROPEAN UNION FRANCE EUROPE MIDDLE EAST RUSSIA & RELATED COUNTRIES NORTH AMERICA LATIN AMERICA AUSTRALIA & NEW ZELAND INDIA & ASIA DISCOVERY - DESIGN - DEVELOPMENT COSMETICS & BIOCIDES …………………………….. p. 3 …………………………….. p. 9 …………………………….. p.12 …………………………….. p.23 …………………………….. p.29 …………………………….. p.33 …………………………….. p.33 …………………………….. p.33 …………………………….. p.49 …………………………….. p.49 …………………………….. p.51 …………………………….. p.55 …………………………….. p.62 Parmi les sujets sГ©lectionnГ©s dans ce numГ©ro : Medtech’s Biggest Moves in 2014 p.3 Molecular Testing To Drive Infectious Diseases Diagnostics Market p.5 The methodological guideline on “Meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies” now available p.9 8 FDA Guidance Documents You Need to Know p.34 The Top 15 Medical Device Deficiencies Cited by FDA in 2014 p.37 PCORI and NIH Partner on Request for Applications to Study How to Improve Blood Pressure Control in HighRisk Individuals p.46 CHINA - Potential New Tool for Cervical Cancer Detection and Diagnosis p.52 La notification des produits cosmГ©tiques p.62 L’ISO 27001: une norme pour encadrer les systГЁmes qualitГ© liГ©s Г la sГ©curitГ© de l’information p.10 ANSM - Risques liГ©s aux prothГЁses de hanche Г couple de frottement mГ©tal-mГ©tal: Recommandations d’utilisation et de suivi des patients p.24 ANSM - Les logiciels dispositifs mГ©dicaux p.25 Rapport nano 2014 1 p.64 В© Adrien Tillet В«Beyond words, the world В» Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes Yves Tillet and Associate Consultants & Experts Cabinet WHITE-TILLET 2 GLOBAL NEWS пЂ пЃ† Medtech’s Biggest Moves in 2014 (Source: MD+DI) пЃ† The Worst Performing Medical Device Companies of 2014 Koninklijke Philips Electronics: –20.5% Getinge AB: –22.5% DrГ¤gerwerk AG & Co.: –14.4% General Electric: –8.7% Siemens: –6.2% (Source: Qmed) 3 пЃ† Why Women Are Embracing Biomedical Engineering Shreya Chandrasekhar, a graduate student in SJSU's biomedical engineering program, says many women are drawn to the field out of altruism. Is it possible that women could end up dominating biomedical engineering—or at least gain some workforce parity with men in coming years? It is still a pretty open question. But one had to at least hope for more gender diversity after a recent informal talk with about a dozen San Jose State University biomedical engineering students at BIOMEDevice San Jose. The biomedical engineering program has a stronger female presence than male at the university. One student, who was obtaining a master’s at the university, said he noticed that women outnumbered men when attending the bioengineering program at the University of California, Berkeley as well. Syracuse University professor Andrew Darling, PhD, said in a report earlier this year that women outnumber men in the freshmen class of that university as well. Nationwide, however, one gets the impression that there are still more men than women in biomedical engineering—albeit by a fairly narrow margin. In 2000, some 39% of BME bachelor degrees were awarded to women, which is the highest percentage of any engineering discipline, according to the American Society for Engineering Education. A source pointing to 2011 numbers says 40% of graduates earning BME degrees were women. At present, women remain underrepresented in the biomedical engineering workforce as well as in academic positions. More striking, in 2012, Forbes put biomedical engineering on its top 10 list of the worst jobs for women. Coming in at No. 8 on the list, biomedical engineers fared slightly better than secretaries. In that article, the percentage of professional women biomedical engineers was cited as 18.2%. Nationwide, a growing number of women are beginning to make a name for themselves in the medical device industries. For instance, Elizabeth Holmes (30), the founder of Theranos (Palo Alto, CA), happens to be the youngest recipient of 2015 Horatio Alger Award for exceptional leadership. Her blood diagnostics company also has helped her become the youngest female billionaire in the United States. The field of biomedical engineering is relatively new, and is quickly growing, making the field potentially attractive to a growing number of students, including women, who have outnumbered men on college campuses for decades. A paper published in 2010 by the American Society for Engineering Education acknowledges hurdles in academia for females entering biomedical engineering—especially at the post-graduate level—but suggests that “the field is inherently appealing to women, especially in comparison to the more traditional 4 disciplines such as mechanical and electrical engineering.” It continues: “[Women] are more connected to the biological and medical sciences, which have greater gender equity than engineering sciences.” A similar theme also emerged from the discussion with SJSU students. The students state that one of the main things that drew them to the field was the overarching desire to help others, a theme that also emerged in a survey of the BME student body. … (Source: Qmed) пЃ† Molecular Testing To Drive Infectious Diseases Diagnostics Market A new Frost & Sullivan reports predicts that molecular testing will be one of the foremost drivers of the overall growth of the global infectious diseases diagnostics market. The report states that the market will be worth $12.78 billion in 2018 growing at an compound annual growth rate of 10% from $7.92 billion last year. The increase is partially being fueled by greater demand for a new diagnostic regime that is more decentralized than the traditional centralized lab testing methodology. Molecular diagnostics remains the fastest growing segment of the overall infectious diseases diagnostics market. Large diagnostics players are keenly aware of both these trends - the demand for both decentralized testing and the prevalence of molecular diagnostics. In April, Roche bought point-of-care molecular testing company iQuum For $275 million in cash and the potential for an additional $175 million in milestone payments. The Marlborough, Massachusetts company has FDA-cleared and CE Marked diagnostic tests that can be performed at the point of care with minimal training. They have a "lab-in-a-tube" technology, explained Aish Vivekanandan, an analyst with Frost & Sullivan. Tests for Hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis and sepsis are the largest revenue generators. The growth of the worldwide infectious diseases diagnostics market is being driven by increased prevalence of some of these diseases in the developing world, according to the report. Companies like Roche, Qiagen, Abbott and others are taking advantage of the opportunity in these relatively under penetrated emerging markets by striking partnerships with local companies as well as by making acquisitions. For instance, Qiagen, the Dutch company, inked a deal with Tokyo-based Astellas Pharmaceuticals to develop companion diagnstics paired with Astellas drugs for cancer and other diseases. "Another example is Enigma diagnostics collaboration with China's ICDC to develop and commercialize their molecular diagnostic test to detect infectious disease pathogens," Vivekanandan says. … (Source : MD+DI) 5 пЃ† What the Medtech Giants Expect from Start-Up Partnerships The bigger companies get, the more they usually rely on outside sources for innovation. So, they increasingly develop systematic approaches to monitor and evaluate start-ups and their technologies. The goal is to be up to speed on the latest developments in the sector and to have a foot in the door at an early stage if the start-up evolves into a worthwhile acquisition target. Some companies are setting up accelerators around the world in order to get hold of the most innovative ideas. Becton Dickinson, for example, has started two accelerator programs in the US and one in Israel in 2014 and is planning to add further programs next year. In Israel, BD cooperates with Microsoft Ventures that provides office space and the infrastructure for the start-ups and Healthbox which appropriates funding. “The BD accelerator program is an innovation experiment with the primary objective of вЂ�organization learning’; learning about new technologies, capabilities and business models that may enable future opportunities for BD. In partnership with investors and infrastructure providers, we recruit, evaluate and select startups based on the uniqueness of their technology and capability of their team. In return, BD provides these startups with business mentors and subject matter experts to better understand market needs, customer requirements and regulatory, clinical and reimbursement hurdles,” Al Lauritano, director strategic technology partnerships for BD Technologies told EMDT. “We do not charge for these support services but do it to help them be successful to raise further capital. It’s also important to note that we are typically not taking equity stakes in these companies (at this stage) nor are we co-inventing.” Those activities are rather strategically than financially motivated. The companies use the experience to study the implications of new technologies, the reactions of customers and potential business models. The start-ups that participate in BD’s accelerator programs are are typically pre-seed or seed stage. “[…] We are not considering acquisition at this stage. We are more likely to establish a research collaboration, license agreement or incubation relationship with accelerator graduates,” Lauritano said. “Presently, we are looking to accelerate startups that are combining medtech and high tech to make medical devices smarter. We are also looking at Big Data opportunities that will help improve clinical decision making and healthcare outcomes.” 6 пЃ† C.R. Bard Could Face Billions in Damages from Mesh Lawsuits A federal judge has warned C.R. Bard Inc. (BCR) to settle outstanding pelvic mesh lawsuits or face billions of dollars in jury awards to plaintiffs, according to a report by Bloomberg. “I can’t imagine a corporation facing potentially billions of dollars in verdicts wouldn’t find it advisable to try to achieve a settlement for a much lesser sum,” U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin, sitting in Charleston, WV, said at a December 9 hearing, according to a transcript obtained by Bloomberg. “I base that billions of dollars business on some of the rather large verdicts that we’ve had.” Goodwin is overseeing all federal-court litigation involving the implants. The Murray Hill, NJ-based company faces more than 12,000 lawsuits filed by women who claim the implants have damaged their organs, made sexual intercourse painful, and left them in constant pain, Bloomberg said. Transvaginal mesh implants are used in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic floor repair, and stress urinary incontinence. Potential causes for these conditions include childbirth, hysterectomy, obesity, and normal aging. In order to treat them, a transvaginal mesh is surgically attached to or implanted, using the vaginal wall as an anchor point. However, several meshes used in the procedure have been found to cause complications in some patients, including erosion of internal tissues and organs, painful sexual intercourse, infection, and urinary problems. Plaintiffs have won multi-million-dollar awards in cases against C.R. Bard and other medtech companies. In August 2013, a federal jury in West Virginia ordered C.R. Bard to pay $2 million to a woman who was allegedly injured by the company’s vaginal mesh device. Bloomberg reported that the company agreed in October to settle 500 suits for about $21 million, in its first large-scale resolution of vaginal-mesh cases, people familiar with the accord said. In an SEC filing in July, the company said that it was facing personal injury claims filed by approximately 12,445 plaintiffs in state and federal court over its women’s surgical continence products. It also acknowledged facing “material additional costs” if ordered by the District Court in West Virginia to prepare for trials. “The company anticipates that multiple additional trials, including a possible consolidated trial, may occur in early 2015,” Bard said in the SEC filing. “Additional state court trials are scheduled throughout the 7 second half of 2014…. it cannot give any assurances that the resolution of these claims will not have a material adverse effect on the company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity.” … (Source: Qmed) AUDIT & OUTSOURCING in CHINA The Cabinet WHITE- TILLET is now present in China with Alban Tacquet who took the general direction of our local representation in order to: • Conduct audits secured at a reasonable cost according to GMP standards (Drugs and API), ISO 9001, ISO 13485 (MD) , GMP Cosmetics; • Complete outsourcing assignments in the areas of active ingredients of drugs, medical devices and cosmetics; • Support for legal and regulatory approaches to the authorities. Alban Tacquet (41) has made a career in quality management and regulation of health products in France before running a business in China. Married to a Chinese wife, Alban lives in Beijing (Pekin) for 7 years. For more information, please contact Yves TILLET CEO/CSO to: White-tillet@white-tillet.com пЃ† Medtronic launches new sinus surgery device Medtronic said that it's launching a new sinus surgery device, NovaShield, for functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The NovaShield device consists of a chitosan-based injectable nasal packing and a stent, according to a press release. The FDA granted 510(k) clearance for the device in October, Medtronic said. 8 "NovaShield is Medtronic's first chitosan-based nasal packing," ENT biomaterials product manager Lisa Sapp said in prepared remarks. "With the benefits of chitosan and its unique design, NovaShield is helpful for both surgeons and patients." … (Source: Massdevice) GLOBAL REGULATORY AFFAIRS Government and Regulatory Bodies http://www.pharmweb.net/pwmirror/pwk/pharmwebk.html http://www.who.int/en/ www.imdrf.org пЃ† The methodological guideline on “Meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies” now available Diagnostic tests are used for a variety of purposes including to: determine whether or not an individual has a particular target condition; provide information on a physiological or pathological state, congenital abnormality, or on a predisposition to a medical condition or disease; predict treatment response or reactions; define or monitor therapeutic measures. Ideally an evaluation should be undertaken to assess the clinical utility of a test. Such an assessment is generally not supported by appropriately designed studies or by long term outcome data. In the absence of clinical utility data, diagnostic tests are evaluated on the basis of test accuracy: the ability of the test to correctly determine the disease status of an individual. Test accuracy is not a measure of clinical effectiveness and improved accuracy does not necessarily result in improved patient outcomes. A number of metrics are available to describe the characteristics of a diagnostic test, such as the sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, predictive values, likelihood ratios, and the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. Diagnostic tests may also be subject to a threshold effect, whereby the translation of a test result into a dichotomous positive/negative result is not uniform across studies. Meta-analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies.pdf пЃ† Report highlights hip, knee revision rates The American Joint Replacement Registry's 1st-ever annual report on hip and knee implants underscores the relatively high incidents of problems involving hip replacement surgeries relating to malfunctioning implants. 9 Out of more than 43,823 hip and knee procedures performed in 2013, there were 1,510 hip revisions – just 3.4% of the total. Knee revisions came in at 1,367, or 3.1% of the total number, the AJRR found. Those results point to revision surgeries as a relatively small number out of the total performed. But the AJRR's look at revision surgeries from 2012-2013 involving implants 3 months old or less paints a different picture. The most frequently reported diagnosis code for hip revision surgeries involved infection and inflammatory reaction to the implant (37.8% of the time). The next biggest complication centered on periprosthetic fractures, where a bone breaks around the implant (31.7%). After that, dislocation of the prosthetic joint was next biggest diagnosis for revision surgery (14.6%), then "other" mechanical complications of the joint implant" (8.5%) or "mechanical loosening" of the prosthetic joint (7.3%). For knee revision surgeries, the results are somewhat better in terms of malfunction problems. … (Source: MassDevice) пЃ† ISO 80369-20 ISO 80369-20 Small-bore connectors Part 20 Common test methods - Final vote.pdf пЃ† L’ISO 27001: une norme pour encadrer les systГЁmes qualitГ© liГ©s Г la sГ©curitГ© de l’information La norme ISO 27001 permet aux entreprises et aux administrations d'obtenir une certification qui atteste de la mise en place effective d'un systГЁme de management de la sГ©curitГ© de l'information (SMSI). Cette norme garantit aux parties prenantes (clients, actionnaires, partenaires, autoritГ©s de tutelle, etc.) que la sГ©curitГ© des systГЁmes d'information a Г©tГ© pleinement prise en compte et que l'organisme s'est engagГ© dans un processus d'amГ©lioration continue. La norme ISO 27001 dГ©finit les tГўches et actions Г respecter pour qu'un processus "Plan-Do-Check-Act" ou "Roue de Deming" soit en place dans l'organisme, typiquement sous la responsabilitГ© du RSSI (Responsable de la SГ©curitГ© des SystГЁmes d'Information). 10 Cette dГ©marche ISO 27001 apporte l'amГ©lioration continue de la sГ©curitГ© de l'information, l'universalitГ© et la complГ©tude des pratiques, une approche axГ©e sur les processus et le dГ©veloppement du dialogue et de la communication entre les interlocuteurs sur les problГ©matiques de sГ©curitГ©. … (Source: LNE) ACCREDITATIONS пЃ† Accords de reconnaissance mutuelle (ARM): Le LNE/G-MED est organisme d’évaluation de la conformitГ© dans le cadre des accords de reconnaissance mutuelle signГ©s entre l’Union EuropГ©enne et respectivement les Etats-Unis d’AmГ©rique, l’Australie et la Nouvelle ZГ©lande. >> Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos pages accГЁs au marchГ© USA et accГЁs aux marchГ©s Australien et NГ©oZГ©landais Taiwan Le LNE/G-MED est accrГ©ditГ© par le ministГЁre de la santГ© de Taiwan pour la rГ©alisation des audits suivant la norme ISO 13485. >> Pour en savoir plus, consultez notre page accГЁs au marchГ© taiwanais Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Le LNE/G-MED est accrГ©ditГ© par la FDA en tant qu’organisme tierce partie (programme IAP) pour effectuer des inspections autorisГ©es par la FDA. >> Pour en savoir plus, consultez notre page accГЁs au marchГ© USA BrГ©sil Le LNE est accrГ©ditГ© par l'INMETRO en tant qu'OCP (Organisme de Certification Produits) >> Pour en savoir plus, consultez notre page accГЁs au marchГ© brГ©silien Japon Dans le cadre d'un accord de reconnaissance avec le JQA (Japan Quality Assurance organization), le LNE/G-MED est organisme autorisГ©e JPAL pour les audits systГЁme de gestion de qualitГ© (SGQ) >> Pour en savoir plus, consultez notre page accГЁs au marchГ© japonais Programme CB-Scheme Dans le cadre des accords internationaux du CB Scheme (SchГ©ma OC), le LNE est reconnu par l'IECEE en tant qu'organisme de Certification (National Certification Body) et comme Laboratoire d'Essais (Certification Body and Testing Laboratory, CBTL). >> Pour en savoir plus, consultez notre page certification CB Scheme 11 пЃ† ACTUALITES п‚· Guide relatif Г l'implГ©mentation de la norme EN 60601 3ГЁme Г©dition п‚· Guide sur la compatibilitГ© Г©lectromagnГ©tique (CEM) des dispositifs Г©lectro-mГ©dicaux п‚· Enregistrement des dispositifs mГ©dicaux au BrГ©sil п‚· Enregistrement des dispositifs mГ©dicaux au Japon пЃ† L’ISO 50001: une solution performante pour amГ©liorer la gestion Г©nergГ©tique des bГўtiments Dans le cadre de la mise en application des dispositions de la directive europГ©enne "EfficacitГ© Г©nergГ©tique", les entreprises doivent prendre des dispositions pour Г©valuer leur consommation d'Г©nergie en vue d'amГ©liorer leur performance Г©nergГ©tique. D’ici le 5 dГ©cembre 2015, les grandes entreprises devront soit rГ©aliser un audit Г©nergГ©tique, soit se faire certifier suivant la norme ISO 50001. … (Source: LNE) EUROPEAN UNION пЃ† Retour sur les rГ©visions des directives europГ©ennes sur les dispositifs mГ©dicaux Le 26 septembre 2012, la Commission europГ©enne a publiГ© les 2 textes de rГ©vision des directives europГ©ennes sur les dispositifs mГ©dicaux qu’elle a soumis au Parlement europГ©en et au Conseil de l'Union europГ©enne. 12 Ils prennent la forme de 2 propositions de rГЁglements europГ©ens qui viendront remplacer les directives actuellement en vigueur (90/385/CEE – 93/42/CEE – 98/79/CE). Ces rГ©visions, aprГЁs leur adoption, auront un impact important et pГ©renne sur l’ensemble des opГ©rateurs Г©conomiques (fabricants, mandataires, importateurs et distributeurs) qui intervient dans la mise sur le marchГ© des dispositifs mГ©dicaux au sein de l’espace Г©conomique europГ©en. Elles vont Г©galement modifier les missions et responsabilitГ©s de la Commission EuropГ©enne, des autoritГ©s de santГ© et des organismes notifiГ©s. La Commission indique que les deux propositions de rГЁglement pourraient ГЄtre adoptГ©es en 2014 et mise en application entre 2015 et 2019. Les 3 objectifs majeurs de ces rГ©visions La Commission europГ©enne donne trois objectifs globaux pour les rГ©visions, qui sont dГ©clinГ©s au sein des deux propositions de rГЁglements 1. Premier objectif : s'assurer d’un niveau Г©levГ© de la protection de la santГ© humaine et de sГ©curitГ©. Pour atteindre cet objectif, la Commission a inclus, entre autres, un chapitre sur les exigences des Г©valuations cliniques, le renforcement de la surveillance post-commercialisation et les activitГ©s de vigilance pour les acteurs Г©conomiques et les autoritГ©s compГ©tentes, ainsi qu’un chapitre sur la traГ§abilitГ© pour tous les dispositifs. DeuxiГЁme objectif : garantir le fonctionnement du marchГ© intГ©rieur. La Commission prГ©cise que cet objectif est atteint par "... [mettre] en place un cadre rГ©glementaire qui s'applique avec cohГ©rence Г travers l'UE ....2" Un cadre rГ©glementaire cohГ©rent comprendrait par exemple les clauses visant Г combler les disparitГ©s des dispositions lГ©gales propres Г chaque Г‰tat membre ou Г harmoniser la faГ§on dont sont traitГ©s les produits-frontiГЁres et les questions de classification. En outre, l'annexe XV de la proposition de rГЁglement relatif Г la rГ©vision des dispositifs mГ©dicaux Г©numГЁre les produits qui sont inclus dans le champ d'application Г©largi de la dГ©finition de В«dispositif mГ©dicalВ», fournissant des prГ©cisions. TroisiГЁme objectif : fournir un cadre rГ©glementaire qui est non seulement cohГ©rent, mais qui soutient Г©galement l'innovation et la concurrence dans le secteur europГ©en des dispositifs mГ©dicaux. La Commission a examinГ© diffГ©rentes options pour faire Г©voluer le systГЁme actuel et a dГ©cidГ© que des dispositions renforcГ©es apportГ©es au systГЁme d'Г©valuation par tierce partie en vigueur actuellement serait la solution la plus efficace, permettant de prГ©server l'innovation et une forte compГ©titivitГ©. Un bref aperГ§u des nouvelles exigences introduites par les deux propositions de rГЁglements La rГ©vision comporte deux propositions de rГЁglements. L’un est applicable aux dispositifs mГ©dicaux de diagnostic in vitro et le second Г tous les autres dispositifs mГ©dicaux. Il est Г noter que le rГЁglement est un texte juridique europГ©en qui n'a pas besoin d'ГЄtre transposГ© dans la lГ©gislation nationale de chaque Г‰tat-membre. Les В«attendusВ», prГ©sentГ©s en dГ©but des textes de rГ©vision, identifient les objectifs des modifications apportГ©es Г la lГ©gislation. Il est toujours trГЁs intГ©ressant de les lire, au moins une fois, parce qu’ils 13 fournissent l’argumentaire de ces changements et des pistes d'interprГ©tation du texte lui-mГЄme. Selon les dispositions transitoires proposГ©es, dans l'hypothГЁse d'une adoption par le Parlement europГ©en en 2014, les deux rГЁglements pourraient ГЄtre strictement obligatoires en 2017 pour les dispositifs mГ©dicaux et en 2019 pour les dispositifs mГ©dicaux de diagnostic in vitro. > L’analyse des deux textes montre des exigences / dispositions communes, en particulier : п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· Art 2 – Nouvelles dГ©finitions Art 5 – Prise en compte de la vente Г distance Art 7 – Ajout de SpГ©cifications Techniques Communes pour les dispositifs mГ©dicaux (elles existent dГ©jГ pour les dispositifs mГ©dicaux de diagnostic in vitro) Art 9 Г 12 – Exigences pour les mandataires, les importateurs et les distributeurs Art 13 – Obligation pour les fabricants de disposer au sein de leur organisation d’au moins une personne qualifiГ©e possГ©dant des connaissances spГ©cialisГ©es dans le domaine des dispositifs mГ©dicaux (diplГґme et/ou expГ©rience spГ©cifique) Art 14 – Cadre pour le В« commerce parallГЁle В» (ce qui inclut les distributeurs Г marque propre) Chapitre IV – Renforcement de la supervision des organismes notifiГ©s en particulier en ce qui concerne leur compГ©tence et leur indГ©pendance pour la rГ©alisation de leur mission Chapitre VII – Renforcement des dispositions relatives Г la surveillance du marchГ© et Г la vigilance. Globalement, l’autoritГ©, en terme opГ©rationnel, de la Commission EuropГ©enne est elle aussi renforcГ©e. > Et des exigences / dispositions spГ©cifiques Г chaque secteur concernГ©, en particulier : Pour la proposition de rГЁglement sur les dispositifs mГ©dicaux (en remplacement de la directive 90/385/CEE sur les dispositifs mГ©dicaux implantables actifs et la directive 93/42/CEE sur les dispositifs mГ©dicaux) п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· Art 1 et 2 – Modification du champ d’application (qui inclut Г prГ©sent certains dispositifs implantables ou invasifs (voir annexe XV) mГЄme s’ils ne sont pas destinГ©s Г un usage mГ©dical et Г©galement certains dispositifs fabriquГ©s Г partir de tissus ou de cellules d’origine humaine rendus non-viables) Art 23 et 24 – Obligation de traГ§abilitГ© Art 26 – Ajout d’un rГ©sumГ© des caractГ©ristiques de sГ©curitГ© et des performances cliniques pour les dispositifs mГ©dicaux de classe III Art 21 – Ajout de rГЁgles de classification Art 42 – Renforcement des dispositions relatives aux inspections inopinГ©es et aux contrГґles par sondage Art 44 – Pour certains dispositifs mГ©dicaux de classe III, intervention, avant l’émission du certificat et en sus de la procГ©dure d’évaluation rГ©alisГ©e par l’organisme notifiГ©, d’un Groupe de Coordination des Dispositifs MГ©dicaux (GCDM voir art 78) chargГ© de la revue du rapport d’évaluation prГ©liminaire. Le GCDM peut demander des informations complГ©mentaires, des contrГґles par sondage ou des audits sur site 14 п‚· Art 49 Г 60 – Renforcement des exigences relatives Г l’évaluation clinique au cours de la vie du dispositif mГ©dical Pour la proposition de rГЁglement sur les dispositifs mГ©dicaux de diagnostic in vitro (en remplacement de la directive 98/79/CE sur les dispositifs mГ©dicaux de diagnostic in vitro) п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· Art 1 et 2 – Modification du champ d’application (qui inclut Г prГ©sent certains dispositifs Г haut risque fabriquГ©s et utilisГ©s dans un seul et mГЄme Г©tablissement de santГ©, les dispositifs qui renseignent sur la prГ©disposition Г une affection ou Г une maladie, les logiciels mГ©dicaux dГ©diГ©s) Art 21 et 22 – Obligation de traГ§abilitГ© Art 26 – Ajout d’un rГ©sumГ© des caractГ©ristiques de sГ©curitГ© et des performances cliniques pour les dispositifs mГ©dicaux de classe C et D Art 39 – Ajout de rГЁgles de classification basГ©es sur le risque Art 40 – Contribution de laboratoires de rГ©fГ©rence Art 40 – Renforcement des dispositions relatives aux inspections inopinГ©es et aux contrГґles par sondage Art 42 – Pour certains dispositifs mГ©dicaux de diagnostic in vitro de classe D, intervention, avant l’émission du certificat et en sus de la procГ©dure d’évaluation rГ©alisГ©e par l’organisme notifiГ©, d’un Groupe de Coordination des Dispositifs MГ©dicaux (GCDM voir art 76) chargГ© de la revue du rapport d’évaluation prГ©liminaire. Le GCDM peut demander des informations complГ©mentaires, des contrГґles par sondage ou des audits sur site Art 47 Г 58 – Renforcement des exigences relatives Г la preuve clinique en fonction du risque L’étape suivante : comment les propositions deviennent des rГЁglements La Commission europГ©enne est la branche exГ©cutive de l'Union europГ©enne (UE), responsable de la rГ©alisation et de l'exГ©cution des rГЁglements de l'Union et des lois. A ce titre et en tant que reprГ©sentante des intГ©rГЄts de l'UE dans son ensemble, c’est elle qui propose de nouvelles lois et rГ©glementations au Parlement, reprГ©sentant les citoyens de l'Union europГ©enne et au Conseil de l’Union europГ©enne, reprГ©sentant les gouvernements des Г‰tats membres. Ensuite, grГўce Г la procГ©dure lГ©gislative ordinaire, le Parlement et le Conseil Г©tudient le projet de rГЁglement et en discutent, Г©ventuellement Г deux reprises, pour trouver un accord avant que le vote formel au Parlement n’ait lieu. Une fois votГ© au Parlement, le rГЁglement devient d’application obligatoire dans tous les pays de l’Union europГ©enne. Pour en savoir plus sur le processus lГ©gislatif, consultez le site de l'Union europГ©enne. Pour toute question relative Г la commercialisation de votre dispositif en Europe, ainsi qu’aux consГ©quences de ces rГ©visions sur votre dispositif, n’hГ©sitez pas Г nous contacter. Nous pourrons vous guider pour obtenir ou maintenir la certification en vue du marquage CE de votre dispositif. (Source: Gmed) 15 1 - Commission Staff Working Document: Impact Assessment on the Revision of the Regulatory Framework for Medical Devices. Part I. SWD(2012) 273 пЃ† RГґles, responsabilitГ©s, nouveaux acteurs… les changements proposГ©s dans la rГ©vision des directives (Source: GMED) пЃ† Europe Edges Towards a New Understanding on HTA The European Union is moving ahead, in its own slightly crabwise fashion, with its attempts to work out what healthcare budgets should be used for. The characteristic sideways gait results from the fact that this isn't strictly speaking an EU issue. The EU treaty preserves health spending decisions as a matter for national governments, and they have long-defended this approach in custom and practice. But health services in Europe are, as in so many other parts of the world, at serious risk of imploding under their own weight in these budget-constrained time. In consequence, any close observer of EU machinations can perceive one new group breaking fresh ground by looking at how to make national health services more efficient and sustainable, while another group looks at health technology assessment as it as about to take on a new lease of life. Lengthy courtship The EU has been flirting with health technology assessment (HTA) for some time now, but for a long while the relationship was conducted in the EU's usual hands-off "don't look at me while I'm doing this" approach to pharmaceuticals and money. It took a bold step in 2011, when it adopted the cross-border patients' rights directive— which was really a Trojan horse designed by the European Commission to penetrate the camp of national regulators, while masquerading as a simplification of rules for the benefit of citizens. Artfully concealed inside the longwinded rhetoric about equality of opportunity and individual rights were a handful of hardcore institutional innovations, and the chief interloper among those meticulously disguised fifth columnists was the first legal base for HTA. No imposition, of course. That would be unthinkable. But a carefully crafted provision for a voluntary network of national HTA bodies, conveniently covering all member states, plus Norway and Iceland, and supported by an EU-funded organization with the unpronounceable title of EUnetHTA. After a couple of years probing carefully and discreetly at how individual member states make their judgments on new drugs or devices or medical procedures, the EU is now getting ready for the next stage. Not quite an ambush, but definitely a fastidiously prepared convergence of thinking about the idea of something more systematic. Still voluntary, of course. The EU is the EU. But there are unmistakable indications of EU aspirations to shift to a higher gear. At the end of October, delicate manipulations of circumstance persuaded members of the HTA network to adopt —unanimously—a "strategy for EU cooperation on HTA." Vision embraced 16 What this amounts to is an acceptance by national authorities of a strategic vision for HTA—something unthinkable only a few years ago, but now less rebarbative as a concept because of the hard times that austerity has forced upon healthcare planners. And to serve the development of that strategic vision, EU officials have convinced national officials that they should identify priority areas to be addressed through the network. It is all still carefully wrapped around with allusions to the treaty's ban on any interference with areas of national competence or any harmonization of national laws or regulations, and explicit opt-out clauses making clear that "individual member states are free to decide the level at which they are willing to participate in cooperation efforts." But it is a real advance towards developing a European approach, rather than leaving all these decisions to the whims, caprices, and local priorities or vested interests of member states. If it is to be a single market for medicines, then there must be some common elements in deciding which products merit reimbursement across that market, the logic runs. HTA, says the new strategy, is "a useful tool to help decision makers achieve sustainable healthcare systems, in the best interest of European patients." The goal of this new degree of European cooperation is "to increase use, quality, and efficiency of HTA production in Europe and to promote HTA in decisionmaking." Cooperation can "promote more consistent approaches to HTA as a health policy tool to support evidence-based, sustainable, equitable choices in healthcare and health technologies." And it can develop "shared know-how" among national bodies working together to produce and apply shared methodologies. пЃ† Changement d’organisme notifiГ©: les points clГ©s pour rejoindre le LNE/G-MED Le transfert ou le changement d’organisme notifiГ© (ON) n’est pas une dГ©cision facile Г prendre pour un fabricant de dispositifs mГ©dicaux. L’ON est un partenaire accompagnant le fabricant dans la certification de ses dispositifs mГ©dicaux. La relation entre le fabricant et l’ON est donc cruciale. Toutefois, indГ©pendamment des raisons amenant au transfert, le fabricant peut changer d’ON librement. … (Source: LNE) пЃ† CybersГ©curitГ© des dispositifs mГ©dicaux: un enjeu majeur pour les acteurs de la santГ© et les patients 17 Principalement commercialisГ©es dans les magasins d’applications de smartphones, les applications mobiles dГ©diГ©es Г la santГ© et les logiciels de dispositifs mГ©dicaux reprГ©sentent un marchГ© en plein boom. Dans le mГЄme temps, de plus en plus de dispositifs mГ©dicaux sont connectГ©s aux rГ©seaux des hГґpitaux Г des fins de tГ©lГ©maintenance ou de contrГґle pГ©riodique de leur fonctionnement. Ces technologies ont rГ©guliГЁrement fait parler d’elles dans les mГ©dias ces derniГЁres annГ©es, avec notamment l’affaire du Hacking d'une pompe Г insuline en 2011, l’arrГЄt du support technique du systГЁme d'exploitation Windows XP, ou plus rГ©cemment la vulnГ©rabilitГ© logicielle Heartbleed, une faille de sГ©curitГ© sur OpenSSL.Tous ces exemples soulignent l’importance de la cybersГ©curitГ© des dispositifs mГ©dicaux. Mais, lorsque l’on parle de cybersГ©curitГ© des dispositifs mГ©dicaux, qu’entend-on exactement? La sГ©curitГ© de l'information vise Г garantir la disponibilitГ©, l'intГ©gritГ© et la confidentialitГ© des donnГ©es stockГ©es, traitГ©es ou transmises. … (Source: LNE) пЃ† Risques liГ©s Г l’introduction de dispositifs mГ©dicaux en IRM : une Г©valuation dГ©sormais exigГ©e L'Imagerie par RГ©sonance MagnГ©tique (IRM) est aujourd'hui un dispositif majeur dans le domaine du diagnostic mГ©dical. Elle complГЁte et se substitue mГЄme parfois Г des examens de radiologie conventionnelle (scanner), limitant d'autant l'exposition du patient aux rayonnements ionisants. Le nombre d'Г©quipements est en forte croissance, et chaque annГ©e, 7% de la population des pays de l'OCDE passe un examen IRM. L'acquisition des images IRM nГ©cessite la combinaison d'ondes Г©lectromagnГ©tiques de puissance Г©levГ©e : champs magnГ©tiques statiques, gradients de champs magnГ©tiques et radiofrГ©quences. Ces ondes interagissent avec tout Г©lГ©ment introduit dans l'environnement IRM, engendrant parfois des risques pour le patient et le personnel mГ©dical. Une Г©valuation des risques liГ©s Г l'introduction du dispositif mГ©dical en IRM est aujourd'hui exigГ©e par la plupart des organismes notifiГ©s pour la mise sur le marchГ© d'un dispositif mГ©dical. … (Source: LNE) пЃ† The European Union's response to Ebola emergency West Africa is currently facing the largest and most complex Ebola epidemic on record. Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are the most affected countries. The disease has already claimed more than 6 000 lives and has seen over 17 000 cases. The European Union has been monitoring its spread and taken collective action at home and abroad. It has mobilised political, financial and scientific resources to help contain, control, treat and ultimately defeat Ebola. On 24 October 2014 the European Council appointed Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, as EU Ebola Coordinator. Between 12 and 16 November, he travelled to the three most affected countries together with the EU Commissioner for Health Vytenis Andriukaitis. On 5-7 December EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven 18 Mimica, followed up with a visit to Guinea Conakry to reaffirm the EU’s medium and long term support to affected and at-risk countries. Financial assistance The EU's total financial contribution to fight the epidemic is over €1.1 billion. This includes funding from the Member States and the European Commission. The Commission has given €434 million to fight the disease - covering emergency measures and longerterm support. Since March 2014, the European Commission has allocated close to EUR 60 million in humanitarian funding to addresses the most urgent needs. These funds are channelled through humanitarian partner organisations, such as MSF, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, IMC, Save the Children, IRC, Alima, WFP’s Humanitarian Air Service, UNICEF and WHO. EU aid contributes to epidemic surveillance, diagnostics, treatment and medical supplies; deployment of doctors and nurses and training of health workers; raising awareness among the population and promotion of safe burials. In addition to existing EU and bilateral development partnerships, the Commission is also providing some €210 million in development and early recovery assistance. The funds are thus being delivered now and into 2015. The objectives are to reinforce the capacity of governments to deliver vital public services, notably health care, and maintain macro-economic stability. These funds are also used to strengthen food security and improve water and sanitation. Mobile laboratories for the detection of the virus and training of health workers are also funded through the development assistance. Furthermore, the EU supports the African Union's medical mission in West Africa. To reduce the risk of further spread of Ebola, EU funding has also been allocated to countries neighboring the affected region where we support early detection and awareness building. Emergency supplies and expertise The EU is also sending emergency supplies and experts. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism facilitates the coordinated delivery of material support from the Member States through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC). EU Member States have provided mobile laboratories, treatment centers, ambulances and field hospitals. The EU has organized logistical support including multiple airlifting operations and supports the deployment of navy ships to transport emergency supplies provided by the Member States, such as food aid, medical kits, clean blankets and chlorine for sanitations. EU humanitarian experts, including specialists in hazardous diseases, have been deployed to the three most affected countries. Medical evacuation International health workers operating directly on the ground are the backbone of the response to the Ebola epidemic. More health workers are needed. To support their mobilization, a European medical evacuation system has been established to ensure they would get appropriate treatment and would be transported to hospitals in Europe in case of an infection. Member States are making capacity available for this. The medevac system ensures evacuation within 48 hours to an equipped hospital in Europe for international health workers and other EU nationals diagnosed with the virus. Evacuation requests are received through the ERCC and assessed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). 19 Research There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine available against Ebola. To address the urgent need for research into new treatments, the EU has been stepping up its efforts to look for new effective vaccines and medication. Through a partnership with the European pharmaceutical industry under the Innovative Medicines Initiative, a €280 million call for proposals has been launched to support research projects involving clinical trials of new vaccines in Ebola-affected countries, the development of fast diagnostic tests and new approaches to manufacture, store and transport vaccines. The call, to which the Commission has contributed half of the budget, will use a new fast-track procedure to get successful projects up and running early next year. This comes on top of the previously mobilised €24.4 million from Horizon2020 that will fund five projects ranging from large-scale clinical trials to tests of existing and new Ebola compound treatments. The EU is also helping to fight infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ebola, within the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership programme (EDCTP2). This partnership will work with a budget of €2 billion over the next ten years, with nearly € 700 million coming from Horizon2020 and a €1.5 billion contribution from EU countries. Preparedness The risk of Ebola to the general public in the EU is very low. Transmission of the virus requires direct contact with a symptomatic patient’s body fluids. Furthermore, the EU has very high standards of healthcare infrastructures and preventive care. Nevertheless, there is a small possibility of individuals arriving in the EU with potential Ebola virus infection. Since the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease, the Commission and the Member States have also been working on preparedness and coordination of risk management in close cooperation with of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the WHO. The Health Security Committee (HSC), bringing together EU Member States and the Commission, meets regularly to coordinate Ebola prevention and readiness. It surveys Member States' preparedness and has established a list of available Ebola assets which could be shared, including high security laboratories, hospital capacity and medical evacuation equipment. The EU's Early Warning and Response System for medical emergencies has been activated. HSC is also providing information for travellers in all EU languages and establishing procedures for airports and health authorities on handling possible Ebola cases. In addition, the Commission has launched the 'Ebola Communication Platform for Clinicians' - an online platform enabling the rapid exchange of information on the treatment and prevention of the Ebola disease. The platform brings together EU hospitals and physicians recognised as reference centres for the treatment of Ebola patients. This network further boosts the level of preparedness and response against Ebola by linking together expertise on treatment of Ebola patients between health care specialists. Exit screening The WHO has recommended exit screening of travellers leaving the affected countries in order to reduce the risk of spread of Ebola. Since the disease's incubation period is up to 21 days, it is widely recognised that such screening can be only partially effective. The Commission in partnership with the WHO has proposed to carry out an audit of the exit screening measures in the three most affected countries. Its goal is to assess current exit screening practices and identify any gaps. The audit report is due at the beginning of December. 20 Advocacy and diplomatic outreach From the outset of the crisis, the EU has been supporting and calling for a strong international response coordinated by the United Nations. The EU is in constant contact with the governments of the region through its Delegations as well as with regional organizations such as the African Union and ECOWAS. The appointment by the European Council of an EU Ebola Coordinator, Commissioner Christos Stylianides, aims to ensure that EU institutions and Member States act in coordination with each other and with international partners. To this end, an EU Ebola Task Force has been set up, bringing together Member States, Commission services, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and representatives of the UN, the Red Cross and NGOs. The Task Force meets daily in the Commission'sERCC, which serves as a platform for coordination of the European response. … (Source: EC) пЃ† DG Sanco clarifies scope of Joint Procurement Agreement The Commission’s Health and Consumers Directorate (DG Sanco) has clarified the scope of the Joint Procurement Agreement that allows EU member states to jointly negotiate the price and supply of vaccines and antiviral medications. The joint procurement procedure can be launched with the agreement of a minimum of 4 member states and the Commission. … (Source: EC) пЃ† Roche's HIV and HCV MDx Get CE Mark Roche said that its Cobas HIV-1 and HCV next-generation viral load monitoring assays have received CE marking. The Cobas HIV-1 assay simultaneously amplifies and detects two separate regions of the HIV-1 genome to quantify the amount of viral RNA in the patient's blood. The Cobas HCV assay employs the firm's dualprobe approach to detect hepatitis C RNA. Both assays are available for use on the Cobas 6800 and 8800 systems. The two molecular diagnostic systems are fully automated platforms for blood donor screening, viral load monitoring, women's health, and microbiology testing. Roche said in a statement that the viral load portfolio on the 6800 and 8800 systems "will provide laboratories with improved productivity and the ability to deliver results for rapid clinical decisions." … (Source : Genomeweb) пЃ† CVRx's Barostim neo gets CE Mark for use with MRIs CVRx said its Barostim neo system was granted expanded CE Mark approval in the European Union for use with MRI procedures. Barostim neo is used to help regulate blood flow in patients suffering from heart failure or drug-resistant hypertension. The system uses a small pulse generator, which is implanted under the collarbone, to activate the body's blood-pressure sensors, or baroreceptors. The device can also be used with implantable cardio-defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy. CVRx said that the expanded approval allows for the system to be used during MRIs under certain conditions. In September, European regulators awarded expanded approval for Barostim neo for the treatment of heart failure. The product first received CE Mark clearance in 2011 for the treatment of high blood pressure. 21 CEO Yadim Nared told MassDevice.com in September that the Barostim neo device is designed to influence both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, reducing sympathetic activity and increasing parasympathetic activity. … (Source: MassDevice) 22 пЃ† Abbott Pathogen Detection Platform Obtains CE Mark Abbott announced today that its pathogen detection platform, Iridica, has obtained CE marking and is now available in Europe and other countries that recognize CE mark. The diagnostic platform uses a combination of PCR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to amplify and detect pathogens directly from patient samples without the need for culture. It can currently distinguish over 1,000 bacteria, viruses, and fungi, according to a statement, allowing for unbiased screening of patient samples in less than six hours. Previously called Plex-ID, the next generation platform debuted in July, and has been praised for its ability to detect and identify pathogens that are rare or difficult to grow in culture. Preliminary data from a study of the platform showed an independent panel of physicians would have prescribed a different course of treatment in about 60 percent of cases if they'd had the Iridica-based diagnosis. That study, called Rapid Diagnosis of Infections in the Critically Ill, or RADICAL, also suggested the platform could reduce healthcare costs and length of hospital stays, according to the statement. There are currently five panels available on the Iridica platform, including one for bloodstream infections that detects more than 780 bacterial strains along with four antibiotic resistance markers, and a fungal panel that detects more than 200 types of fungi and yeast, according to the company website. … (Source: GenomeWeb) NBOG http://www.nbog.eu/ пЃ† NBOG reports & News http://www.nbog.eu/5.html пЃ† NBOG issues 2014 Progress Report The NBOG Progress Report for 2014 submitted to the Medical Devices Expert Group (MDEG) highlighted meetings held in February and June concerning the performance and designation of Notified Bodies, with representatives from more than 20 EU Member States, European Free Trade Area (EFTA) countries, MRA partners and the European Commission (including representatives from FVO, the Food and Veterinary Office). … (Source: NBOG) France http://ansm.sante.fr/ 23 пЃ† Risques liГ©s aux prothГЁses de hanche Г couple de frottement mГ©talmГ©tal: Recommandations d’utilisation et de suivi des patients Les prothГЁses de hanche sont des dispositifs mГ©dicaux dont le rГґle est de remplacer l'articulation naturelle de la hanche lorsque celle-ci ne fonctionne plus correctement, du fait principalement d’une usure (coxarthrose) ou d’une fracture du col fГ©moral. Les prothГЁses dites "Г couple de frottement mГ©talmГ©tal" sont inscrites au plan de surveillance renforcГ© des dispositifs mГ©dicaux[1] . C’est dans ce cadre que l’Agence nationale de sГ©curitГ© du mГ©dicament et des produits de santГ© (ANSM) a rГ©cemment participГ© Г des travaux europГ©ens sur ces dispositifs et qu’elle en a initiГ© au niveau national. Au vu des nouveaux rГ©sultats qui en sont issus, l’ANSM publie aujourd’hui une mise en garde Г l’attention des chirurgiens orthopГ©distes et de nouvelles recommandations de suivi des patients porteurs de ces implants. Une prothГЁse totale de hanche (PTH) se compose de trois parties, une partie qui vient s'insГ©rer dans le fГ©mur, une partie qui se fixe sur le bassin, appelГ©e cotyle, et une partie qui fait la jonction appelГ©e tГЄte fГ©morale. Le couple de frottement d’une PTH est dГ©fini par l’ensemble de la tГЄte fГ©morale et du cotyle. Il existe diffГ©rents couples de frottement.[2] En France en 2013, environ 140 000 PTH de premiГЁre intention ont Г©tГ© implantГ©es dont 3000 (2%) sont de type "Г couple de frottement mГ©tal-mГ©tal"[3] . Il existe trois catГ©gories de prothГЁses de hanche Г couple de frottement mГ©tal-mГ©tal : celles Г tГЄte fГ©morale de petit diamГЁtre (<36mm), Г tГЄte fГ©morale de grand diamГЁtre (≥36mm) et les prothГЁses dites de "resurfaГ§age"[4] . Le dysfonctionnement ou la rupture de l’implant peuvent ГЄtre Г l’origine d’une consultation voire d’une rГ©intervention chirurgicale appelГ©e "rГ©vision". Le taux de rГ©vision chez les patients porteurs de prothГЁses de hanche Г couple de frottement mГ©tal-mГ©tal est ainsi supГ©rieur aux autres couples de frottement, cette tendance Г©tant plus marquГ©e pour les implants de grand diamГЁtre. Contexte de l’évaluation des risques En mars 2012, la revue Lancet a publiГ© une analyse des rГ©sultats d’une Г©tude observationnelle[5] rГ©alisГ©e entre 2003 et 2011 montrant des taux de rГ©vision trГЁs supГ©rieurs chez les patients porteurs des prothГЁses mГ©tal-mГ©tal notamment par rapport au couple cГ©ramique-cГ©ramique. Suite Г cet article, la Commission europГ©enne a mis en place une action coordonnГ©e Г l'Г©chelle europГ©enne sur le sujet pour faire un constat des bГ©nГ©fices et des risques de chacune des catГ©gories des PTH Г couple de frottement mГ©tal-mГ©tal et pour Г©valuer plus avant les effets Г moyen et long termes, locaux et systГ©miques, liГ©s Г ces dispositifs. Les rГ©cents rГ©sultats d’évaluation europГ©ens ont Г©tГ© prГ©sentГ©s Г la Commission de suivi du rapport bГ©nГ©fice/risque des produits de santГ© au cours de sa sГ©ance du 1er juillet 2014. Suite Г cette sГ©ance, un rapport de la SociГ©tГ© FranГ§aise de Chirurgie OrthopГ©dique et Traumatologique (SOFCOT) a Г©tГ© prГ©sentГ© Г la Commission suivante du 14 octobre 2014. Celle-ci a alors Г©mis des avis concernant le devenir des produits et les recommandations de suivi proposГ©es par la SOFCOT. Par ailleurs, les investigations sur l’éventuelle toxicitГ© liГ©e Г ces dispositifs mГ©dicaux seront poursuivies dans le cadre d’un groupe de travail pluridisciplinaire. 24 Recommandations de l’ANSM pour l’utilisation des PTH et le suivi des patients : les points clГ©s L’ANSM attire l’attention des chirurgiens orthopГ©distes quant Г l’utilisation de ces produits. Les recommandations de l’ANSM sont les suivantes : п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· Pour toutes les catГ©gories de prothГЁses de hanche Г couple de frottement mГ©tal-mГ©tal : ne pas les utiliser chez les femmes en Гўge de procrГ©er et chez les patients allergiques Г des mГ©taux. Pour les prothГЁses de resurfaГ§age ,pour Г©viter toute perte de chance Г une catГ©gorie de patients (homme jeune, avec une activitГ© physique trГЁs intense, au ratio tГЄte/col adaptГ©, et un diamГЁtre de tГЄte fГ©morale ≥ 48 mm), il est recommandГ© de restreindre l'utilisation de ces prothГЁses Г ces indications trГЁs ciblГ©es. Il existe en effet un intГ©rГЄt fonctionnel pour ce type de prothГЁses dans ces quelques rares situations cliniques trГЁs prГ©cises. De plus cette chirurgie doit ГЄtre rГ©servГ©e Г quelques chirurgiens maГ®trisant la technique opГ©ratoire spГ©cifique Г cet implant ainsi que le parfait positionnement de celui-ci. L’ANSM recommande de se rГ©fГ©rer aux indications de pose ainsi qu’aux conditions d’encadrement mises en place par la HAS (http://www.has-sante.fr ) Pour les tГЄtes fГ©morales de petit diamГЁtre (<36mm) Г faible teneur en carbone [6] et les tГЄtes fГ©morales de grand diamГЁtre (≥ 36mm) , on constate qu’à ce jour il n’existe plus aucun produit de ce type sur le marchГ© franГ§ais. NГ©anmoins, il convient de noter une balance bГ©nГ©fice /risque nГ©gative de ces produits qui conduirait Г ne pas recommander leur utilisation. Pour les tГЄtes fГ©morales de petit diamГЁtre (<36mm) Г haute teneur en carbone [7] , ces prothГЁses sont Г©quivalentes aux alternatives non mГ©talliques ; elles peuvent continuer Г ГЄtre utilisГ©es dans les indications et en fonction des modalitГ©s recommandГ©es par la HAS. Par ailleurs, l’ANSM en partenariat avec la SOFCOT et la sociГ©tГ© franГ§aise de chirurgie de la hanche et du genou (SFHG), a mis Г jour les modalitГ©s de suivi des patients implantГ©s publiГ©es par l’agence en mars 2012. Ces recommandations seront susceptibles d’évoluer en fonction des rГ©sultats des travaux qui seront mis en place dans le cadre de la problГ©matique globale des implants mГ©talliques. ModalitГ©s de suivi des patients porteurs de prothГЁse totale de hanche Г couple de frottement mГ©talmГ©tal -Recommandations ANSM et SOFCOT (17/12/2014) (96 ko) Mise en garde concernant les prothГЁses de hanche Г couple de frottement mГ©tal-mГ©tal (17/12/2014) (368 ko) - Information de sГ©curitГ© ProthГЁses de hanche Г couple de frottement mГ©tal-mГ©tal : information patient - Questions/RГ©ponses (17/12/2014) (34 ko) пЃ† Les logiciels dispositifs mГ©dicaux L’Agence nationale de sГ©curitГ© du mГ©dicament et des produits de santГ© (ANSM) a pour mission de favoriser un accГЁs rapide, encadrГ© et large Г l’innovation et Г l’ensemble des produits de santГ© pour les patients. Dans le cadre de cette mission, l’ANSM a organisГ© une rГ©union d’information В« Innovation В» (7e Г©dition) sur le thГЁme des logiciels dispositifs mГ©dicaux le vendredi 28 novembre 2014, de 10h00 Г 13h30 dans ses locaux. 25 AprГЁs des retours d’expГ©rience dans le dГ©veloppement de logiciels en santГ© par diffГ©rents acteurs industriels et acadГ©miques, l’ANSM a prГ©sentГ© la qualification et la classification des logiciels mГ©dicaux et le cadre rГ©glementaire applicable. Des Г©changes avec la salle se sont Г©galement dГ©roulГ© sous la forme d’une table ronde. Les interventions : Le logiciel В« dispositif mГ©dical В» Г l’ANSM – ANSM (03/12/2014) (264 ko) Quelques exemples de qualification de logiciels – ANSM (03/12/2014) Etude В« SГ©curitГ© des logiciels В» – ANSM (03/12/2014) Le projet Diabeloop – CEA (03/12/2014) (442 ko) (199 ko) (2194 ko) DГ©veloppement de logiciels en santГ© : Retour d’expГ©rience -VOLUNTIS (03/12/2014) Au cЕ“ur de l’imagerie numГ©rique des laboratoires – TRIBVN (03/12/2014) (762 ko) (1478 ko) DГ©veloppement de logiciels en santГ© : retour d’expГ©rience – SNITEM (03/12/2014) (292 ko) Documents de rГ©fГ©rence пЃ† Amalgames dentaires Г base de mercure: Recommandations pour les professionnels de santГ© et information des patients L’Agence nationale de sГ©curitГ© du mГ©dicament et des produits de santГ© (ANSM) affirme sa volontГ© de voir diminuer de faГ§on importante l’utilisation des amalgames Г base de mercure dans le traitement de la carie dentaire. Elle Г©met Г cette fin des recommandations Г destination des chirurgiens-dentistes afin de prГ©ciser les situations cliniques limitГ©es dans lesquelles l’amalgame peut encore ГЄtre employГ© et en rappelle les prГ©cautions d’emploi. En parallГЁle, une information est Г©galement dГ©livrГ©e aux patients sur la place des amalgames Г base de mercure parmi les matГ©riaux d’obturation disponibles. Il leur est Г©galement rappelГ© l’importance du respect des rГЁgles d’hygiГЁne bucco-dentaire et du traitement prГ©coce des caries dentaires. Suite Г l'actualisation de ses travaux sur les amalgames dentaires prГ©sentГ©e Г la commission de prГ©vention des risques du mois d’octobre 2014, l’ANSM a rГ©affirmГ© sa volontГ© de voir diminuer de faГ§on importante l’utilisation des amalgames Г base de mercure dans le cadre du traitement de la carie dentaire. Elle Г©met ainsi des recommandations Г la fois auprГЁs des chirurgiens-dentistes et des patients sur l’utilisation de ce matГ©riau d’obturation. Il est rappelГ© aux professionnels que l’amalgame dentaire doit ГЄtre rГ©servГ© Г des situations cliniques limitГ©es et justifiГ©es comme la restauration des dents permanentes postГ©rieures (molaires et prГ©molaires) en cas de prГ©valence carieuse Г©levГ©e et de lГ©sions multiples et Г©tendues. Les mesures de prГ©caution d’utilisation Г prendre en compte et les rГЁgles de bonnes pratiques sont Г©galement mentionnГ©es. 26 LвЂ�Agence rГ©affirme Г©galement la nГ©cessitГ© de renforcer l’information des patients vis-Г -vis des diffГ©rents matГ©riaux de restauration disponibles en amont de la rГ©alisation de l’acte conservateur. Par ailleurs, il est Г noter que la premiГЁre des prГ©ventions contre la carie dentaire reste les rГЁgles d’hygiГЁne buccodentaire (promotion des bonnes habitudes d’hygiГЁne bucco-dentaire, actes de prophylaxie) qui doivent ГЄtre rappelГ©es systГ©matiquement aux patients. De plus, l’ANSM tient Г sensibiliser Г la fois les professionnels de santГ© et les patients sur l’importance de la dГ©claration de tout effet indГ©sirable en relation avec l’utilisation d’un matГ©riau d’obturation. L’Agence a d’autre part rappelГ©, au cours de la commission de prГ©vention des risques du mois d’octobre 2014, la nГ©cessitГ© de promouvoir la recherche dans le domaine des biomatГ©riaux afin d’élargir l’offre de solutions alternatives aux amalgames dentaires disponibles. … (Source: ANSM) Amalgames dentaires : Recommandations Г l’attention des professionnels de santГ© Г respecter lors de l’utilisation des amalgames dentaires - Recommandations (11/12/2014) (118 ko) Informations Г l’attention des patients sur les amalgames dentaires - Recommandations (11/12/2014) (128 ko) http://www.has-sante.fr/portail/jcms/j_5/accueil пЃ† Enjeux actuels de l’évaluation mГ©dico-Г©conomique - une comparaison avec le NICE Les questions d’organisation et de soutenabilitГ© des systГЁmes de santГ© ainsi que l’évaluation Г©conomique des traitements ne sont plus des sujets purement nationaux. Plusieurs sujets d’actualitГ© rГ©cents ont montrГ© que les pays europГ©ens sont confrontГ©s aux mГЄmes difficultГ©s et aux mГЄmes problГ©matiques et ce malgrГ© des systГЁmes de santГ© diffГ©rents. La HAS fait aujourd’hui le point sur ses derniers travaux et В« dialogue В» avec le NICE*, institution britannique homologue, Г l’occasion d’un colloque intitulГ© В« Contribuer Г la qualitГ© et l’efficience В», tenu Г la CitГ© internationale. Poursuivre l’exploration de la dimension Г©conomique dans nos Г©valuations, notamment des mГ©dicaments et dispositifs mГ©dicaux Depuis plus d’un an, la HAS met en Е“uvre l’évaluation de l’efficience des mГ©dicaments et dispositifs mГ©dicaux. Sont concernГ©s par ce dispositif les produits de santГ© qui ont В« un impact significatif sur les dГ©penses de l’assurance maladie compte tenu de [leur] incidence sur l’organisation des soins, les pratiques professionnelles ou les conditions de prise en charge des malades et, le cas Г©chГ©ant, de [leur] prix В». Les avis d’efficience, par les nouvelles donnГ©es qu’ils apportent au ComitГ© Economique des Produits de SantГ© (CEPS), participent Г la dГ©finition du prix des produits concernГ©s. La nГ©gociation du prix des traitements trГЁs innovants mais coГ»teux prГ©sentГ©s au remboursement s’appuie dГ©sormais Г©galement sur des donnГ©es de rapport coГ»t-avantages ou sur des donnГ©es d’efficience. En pratique, 26 produits de santГ© (25 mГ©dicaments et 1 dispositif mГ©dical) ont Г©tГ© Г©ligibles Г une Г©valuation mГ©dicoГ©conomique par la HAS. Actuellement, 15 avis d’efficience ont Г©tГ© rendus par la Commission Г‰valuation 27 Г‰conomique et de SantГ© Publique (CEESP). Trois avis d’efficience sont aujourd’hui disponibles sur le site de la HAS, les autres le seront dans les prochaines semaines. ParallГЁlement Г ces avis d’efficience, la HAS a poursuivi son Г©valuation de l’efficience des stratГ©gies diagnostiques et thГ©rapeutiques et a publiГ© au cours du dernier trimestre les Г©valuations relatives Г la prise en charge de l’apnГ©e du sommeil et de l’insuffisance rГ©nale terminale. Une comparaison avec le systГЁme anglais via les activitГ©s du NICE Dans l’objectif d’amГ©liorer ses mГ©thodes de travail et de rГ©pondre Г sa mission d’aide Г la dГ©cision, la HAS entend constamment s’enrichir des apports des expГ©riences Г©trangГЁres. Une rГ©flexion comparative des modes de fonctionnement et de travail entre la HAS et son homologue britannique, le NICE, s’inscrit dans cette perspective. Elle doit toutefois tenir compte des diffГ©rences profondes d’organisation entre les deux systГЁmes de santГ© et des diffГ©rences culturelles entre les deux pays. Au niveau des avis d’efficience, si des points de concordance existent, des diffГ©rences notables subsistent. Par exemple, ces avis ont en France vocation Г aider les dГ©cideurs (CEPS, ministГЁre) Г affiner leurs prises de dГ©cision concernant le prix. Ils ne constituent pas un avis conforme de remboursement ou non comme c’est le cas outre-manche. En France, aucune valeur de rГ©fГ©rence n’est Г ce jour spГ©cifiГ©e. Ainsi, il est possible de dГ©terminer le coГ»t du gain en santГ© produit par une innovation mais il n’est pas possible de dire si ce coГ»t est acceptable pour la collectivitГ©. Si la HAS n’est pas lГ©gitime pour Г©dicter seule cette valeur, elle est en situation de fournir les Г©lГ©ments qui permettront Г terme d’initier un dГ©bat dГ©mocratique sur ce sujet et a engagГ© un travail de recherche et d’analyse documentaire sur ce thГЁme. Plusieurs autres diffГ©rences sont Г souligner, par exemple : - la hiГ©rarchisation des recommandations cliniques du NICE par une analyse coГ»t/avantage Г©tablit ainsi un lien mГ©canique et dГ©montrГ© entre efficience et pertinence des soins ; - les liens entre le NICE et les universitГ©s, la recherche acadГ©mique ou encore les organismes de professionnels permettent une synergie plus grande pour produire des synthГЁses des connaissances scientifiques ; - la stratГ©gie de diffusion des productions et de leur appropriation auprГЁs des professionnels trГЁs aboutie, qui permet une meilleure appropriation par les professionnels britanniques, domaine oГ№ la HAS poursuit ses efforts; - la grande sГ©lectivitГ© dans les Г©valuations Г mener tant dans leur nombre que dans leur thГ©matique confГ©rant une plus grande force aux positions du NICE ; - enfin, le rГґle des usagers en tant que contributeurs pleins et entiers plus affirmГ© notamment au travers de la dГ©finition de choix de valeurs mais Г©galement avec la mise en place d’un conseil permanent des citoyens au sein de l’institution. Des parcours de soins pour garantir l’efficience des prises en charge La HAS a initiГ© plusieurs travaux destinГ©s Г mieux coordonner les parcours de soins des patients et Г©viter les ruptures de suivi entre les prestations : structuration des soins primaires et organisation de la sortie d’hospitalisation par exemple, notamment appliquГ©es au parcours de santГ© des personnes ГўgГ©es, travaux sur le repГ©rage et la prise en charge des personnes ГўgГ©es fragiles, prГ©vention des Г©vГ©nements indГ©sirables liГ©s aux mГ©dicaments, coordination des acteurs dans les territoires. 28 La pertinence des pratiques professionnelles pour dГ©penser mieux La HAS a entrepris de travailler sur la pertinence des actes et des pratiques en analysant la variabilitГ© des pratiques. En effet, si les bonnes pratiques professionnelles sont dГ©finies, comment identifier et rГ©duire ces variabilitГ©s, sources potentielles de problГЁmes de sГ©curitГ© des soins et du patient mais Г©galement de coГ»ts supplГ©mentaires ? L’analyse approfondie de plusieurs situations (cГ©sarienne programmГ©e, chirurgie bariatrique, etc.) via les bases de donnГ©es disponibles (PMSI, SNIIRAM…) devraient permettre de progresser dans ce domaine. L’expГ©rience du NICE, comme d’autres institutions internationales en charge de garantir la qualitГ© et l’efficience du systГЁme de santГ© (freins et facteurs clГ©s de succГЁs) et ses mГ©thodes peut apporter des Г©lГ©ments d’éclairage pour les actions actuelles et futures de la HAS. … (Source: HAS) CNEDiMTS пЃ† Derniers Avis de la CNEDiMTS п‚· п‚· п‚· Les Avis sur les dispositifs mГ©dicaux (et les synthГЁses) Rapports d'Г©valuation des technologies de santГ©. L’Évaluation des technologies de santГ© et des actes CEPS L’objet du site est : п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· de dГ©crire les missions du CEPS, de dГ©crire son organisation et son fonctionnement, de retracer son activitГ©, de fournir les informations de base concernant le prix des mГ©dicaments et les tarifs des dispositifs mГ©dicaux ainsi que les informations pratiques relatives au dГ©pГґt et au traitement des demandes. http://www.sante.gouv.fr/comite-economique-des-produits-de-sante-ceps.html EUROPE 29 http://www.mhra.gov.uk/#page=DynamicListMedicines пЃ† Final reminder to cancel licences by the end of December 2014 Periodic fees and cancellation of licences - holders of authorisations, registrations and licences are required to notify the MHRA by 31 December 2014 to cancel authorisations, registrations and licences from 31 March 2015. If you have not cancelled them yet please do so as soon as possible. This will ensure that you are not liable for a periodic fee in connection with a specific licence for the fee period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016. Regulation 37 (5) (a) of the Medicines (Products for Human Use) (Fees) Regulations 2013 SI 2013 No.532 requires authorisation, registration or licence holders to give three-months notice to the licensing authority before the beginning of a fee period (ie 1 April) if they wish to cancel a licence. They will then not be liable for the periodic fee. … (Source: MHRA) пЃ† Guide to the systematic design, construction, and description of synthetic biological systems using digital biological information Draft PAS 246 synthetic biological systems - for comment.pdf пЃ† Medtech Start-Ups: Point-of-Prescription Test to Fight Antibiotics Resistance While currently the media is mainly concerned with the Ebola crisis in Africa, probably the more dangerous development, at least for the developed world, is the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. According to the European Commission, more than 25,000 people die every year because of drug-resistant infections. “Ever since antibiotics were invented we have known that pathogens will develop antibiotic resistance as a classic example of Darwinism. In fact bacteria, with a reproductive cycle of less than a hour in some cases, can demonstrate Darwin’s theory in a finite time period far better than humans,” explained Neil 30 Butler, CEO of the start-up Spectromics. According to Butler, there are a number of mechanisms of resistance. If the bacteria comes into contact with a non-lethal dose of antibiotic it has the opportunity to develop resistance strains in it’s natural reproductive cycle. If a patient stops taking the antibiotics half way through the course of medication, before the infection is cleared this can result in resistance. “For a number of infections where resistance is slow to develop a suitable diagnostic solution is to ID the bacteria and treat with an antibiotic that is known to be effective. Molecular Diagnostic solutions are very effective in such cases because their inbuilt amplification capability together with specific DNA recognition allow them to be both sensitive and specific,” said Butler. “There are however gram negative bacteria, where the resistance is encoded by hundreds of genes, and where new mutations are constantly developing.” Such a complex and moving target is difficult to configure a molecular test for and it would require constant updating and requalifying through regulatory processes, according to Butler. “The alternative approach is to use phenotypic testing, which has been the cornerstone of microbiological testing since the introduction of antibiotics. The problem with the classical method of culturing (growing) bacteria in the presence of different antibiotics and monitoring how each drug influences the growth of bacteria is that it’s slow. A 1- 2 day test isn’t tolerable when patients have infections that require urgent treatment, and many of the antibiotics don’t work.” The Manchester based Spectromics has developed a 10 minute phenotypic test that determines which drugs work best against the particular bacteria. “As the test works by combining the patient sample with a panel of antibiotics and determining which kill or inhibit the pathogen. To address the issue of how do we stop patients taking half the course of medication, then a follow up test could be performed to ensure the infection has been effectively treated,” Butler said. Spectromics is a spin-out of the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology where the researchers started working on pathogens associated with Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and their response to antibiotics. After having tested over 200 strains of bacteria with a number of antibiotics and achieving a highly reproducible susceptibility prediction accuracy (88-98%), they decided to commercialize the tests they developed. A patent application was filed in February 2014 and the company was formed 2 months later. “The unmet need [for the technology] is that in the community antibiotics are prescribed by doctors based on clinical assessment,” said Butler. “ In the US, there are 16million suspected UTI’s treated every year, but only half those patients have actual UTI’s, so there is 100% overtreatment with unnecessary use of drugs, and the consequential opportunity to develop new resistances.” … (Source : EMDT) http://www.nice.org.uk/ http://www.hpra.ie/ BfArM http://www.bfarm.de/DE/Home/home_node.html 31 пЃ† List of safety measures updated BfArM has updated the list of safety measures taken with respect to medical devices through December 12, 2014. … (Source: BfArM) пЃ† Autumn Symposium 2014: papers and posters online now On the occasion of its 10th anniversary, IQWiG’s symposium took a look into the future. Discussion centered around the direction that evidence-based care should take, and what IQWiG can contribute to the challenges ahead. The presentations from the symposium are now available online. … (Source: IQWIG) http://www.fagg-afmps.be/fr/ http://www.agenziafarmaco.it/ http://www.aemps.gob.es/en/home.htm пЃ† AEMPS hosts technical workshop for development of arthroplasty register in Spain AEMPS and the Spanish Society of Hip Surgery (SECCA) organized a Technical Seminar in order to share experiences on existing Arthroplasty Registers in Europe, with a view to developing a National Arthroplasty Register to monitor the behavior of implants during the time they are in place. The Conference was held on December 3, 2014 at the AEMPS headquarters. … (Source: AEMPS) http://www.legemiddelverket.no/English/Sider/default.aspx http://www.lakemedelsverket.se/english/ SWISSMEDIC http://www.swissmedic.ch/index.html?lang=fr Ministry of Health of Ukraine 32 http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/en/publish/article?art_id=88456 MIDDLE EAST пЃ† TITCK updates certified testing centers The TITCK has updated the list of testing centers that have been inspected and certified to conduct bioavailability and bioequivalence testing, and Phase I clinical testing. … (Source: TITCK) RUSSIA & RELATED COUNTRIES Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation http://government.ru/eng/power/23/ NORTH AMERICA пЃ† CDRH issues final guidance on passive implants in MR environment The CDRH has released final guidance on labeling and testing passive implants in the magnetic resonance (MR) environment identifying the main safety and compatibility issues as magnetically induced displacement force and torque, radio frequency (RF) heating, and image artifacts. The guidance applies to premarket approval application (PMA), Investigational Device Exemption (IDE), and premarket notification (510(k)) submissions. … (Source: FDA) пЃ† FDA Upbeat about Medical Device Approval Times Earlier this week the science chief of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration spoke about the agency’s efforts to improve the process it uses to clear and approve medical devices. Bill Maisel, deputy director of science at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in Cambridge, MA that the agency had made progress in the area. Maisel spoke on the topic to members of MassMEDIC. His speech was one of several events put on by the FDA intended to provide an overview on topics in regulatory approval for the coming year. The agency’s priorities entering the new year include strengthening the clinical trial process for devices, according to a news release from the Boston Business Journal. “We want patients in the U.S. to have access first in the world to the technology,” Maisel said. “That means timely approval trials.” 33 To illustrate the agency’s commitment, Maisel noted that the agency has cut down the average length of time from the submission of an application to run a trial, to a decision on the application by 75% in the past three years. In 2011, it took an average of more than 400 days for such an application to be processed. This year, Maisel reports that the average application is now processed in 101 days. The FDA has also taken strides to sort through the categories of medical devices in an effort to identify devices considered high-risk, for which the most data is required for approval. The agency has already reviewed half of the high-risk devices as they look for any that can be downgraded in order to speed up the approval process. Maisel also says that the agency is working to improve its level of customer service by collecting feedback, with the goal of reaching a 70% satisfaction rate among industry representatives and other government agencies that work alongside the FDA. Maisel noted that the Center for Devices and Radiological Health received an 84% approval rating, surpassing its goals. In related news, the FDA has been criticized for not disclosing the extent of its financial ties to industry. The Wall Street Journal recently explained that a number of doctors sitting on FDA review panels also have links to device makers—connections that the agency doesn’t disclose publicly. In panels evaluating devices involved in cardiology, orthopedics, and gynecology from 2012 through 2014, a third of 122 members had received compensation (in the form of money, research grants, or food and travel) from medical device companies, according to The Wall Street Journal. Nearly 10% of the FDA advisors received something of value from the specific company whose product they were evaluating, but the FDA only disclosed roughly 1% of these corporate connections. … (Source: Qmed) пЃ† 8 FDA Guidance Documents You Need to Know Mobile Medical Applications (Apps) One year after its publication in late 2013, this guidance remains unclear to many manufacturers. What FDA says: A continuum of mobile medical apps exists ranging from those that are clearly not medical devices to those that are distinctly medical devices and thus require regulation. For apps in the gray area of regulation, FDA will exercise enforcement discretion. This means that as long as no safety issues arise, it will not require pre-market submissions or compliance with FDA medical device requirements. The Good: The guidance provides a shorter, easier path to market for low-risk apps. The Bad: The industry is worried that the increased cost and time to market associated with FDA regulation will stifle innovation. The Path Forward: FDA manages mobile medical apps within the existing regulatory framework and has been doing so for years. The software that conducts and analyzes CT scans is a great example. Manufacturers should make an informed decision regarding their place in the regulation continuum. For those apps that will be subject to FDA enforcement, and which represent a novel approach for which there is no predicate, the de novo classification guidance may be applicable. Framework for Regulatory Oversight of Laboratory Developed Tests The most sweeping changes FDA announced in 2014 were for laboratory developed tests (LDTs). What FDA Says: FDA is ceasing enforcement discretion and establishing active oversight to ensure the validity and safety of LDTs, which have grown increasingly complex and critical to diagnosis. 34 The Good: For IVD developers that compete against LDTs, the playing field may soon be more level. LDTs can remain on the market during the new registration and approval processes. The Bad: More than 11,000 laboratories currently regulated under CLIA must quickly register and list tests performed and begin reporting adverse events, which may be difficult to precisely define. That, combined with a relatively short 1 to 5-year horizon for institution of approval processes for most LDTs, as well as the new quality systems requirements, will place significant demands on industry resources. The Path Forward: As this is a draft guidance, significant uncertainty remains and particularly so for DNA sequencing-based and rare disease LDTs. However, increased regulation of LDTs, whether through FDA or CLIA reform, is inevitable. Advance preparation is required to reduce barriers to rapid, efficient, and costeffective LDT development and marketing. In Vitro Companion Diagnostic Devices The companion diagnostic devices (CDx) guidance is an example of FDA’s effort to accelerate access to treatment by improving the development process. What FDA Says: A CDx provides information for the safe and effective use of a corresponding therapeutic. Ideally, a CDx and its corresponding therapeutic should be developed and approved or cleared contemporaneously. FDA will use a risk-based approach to determine the regulatory pathway. In general, the agency will not approve a new therapeutic or new indication if an already cleared/approved CDx does not exist. The Good: CDx and potential regulatory pathways are now clearly defined. The Bad: Codevelopment may require a longer upfront planning period and strain the resources of small manufacturers. Sponsors must now meet with both the drug and device divisions of FDA. The Path Forward: The CDx developer should partner with the therapeutic manufacturer as early as possible, stay involved in decision making, and meet regularly with FDA to ensure development is on course. De Novo Classification Process (Evaluation of Automatic Class III Designation) 510(k) clearance hinges on a device’s substantial equivalence to an existing product. Novel devices with a risk profile consistent with a Class I or II designation are classified as Class III, which requires approval via a PMA if a predicate device cannot be identified. What FDA Says: The de novo pathway allows FDA to clear new technology devices with low or moderate risk via a 510(k)-like process, instead of a PMA. The Good: This guidance streamlines the de novo process. The Bad: The review timeframe is uncertain. Prior to FDA’s recent efforts to streamline the process, manufacturers waited a year or longer to complete the de novo process. The Path Forward: Manufacturers with new technology devices should use the Pre-Submission process to determine if de novo designation is applicable. IDEs for Early Feasibility Medical Device Clinical Studies, Including Certain First In Human Studies Many U.S. device manufacturers conduct first in human (FIH) studies offshore because of stringent IDE requirements. 35 What FDA Says: This guidance was designed to introduce flexibility into the IDE process, in a manner that will not impact patient safety. Depending on risk profile FDA may be more flexible about technical aspects or gaps in the submission, provided a sponsor is clear on how it will manage the design process. The Good: Sponsors can collect the clinical data needed to make design decisions even though the device design is not finalized. The Bad: FDA will not compromise patient safety. Thus, a company considering a U.S. FIH study must perform a thorough analysis of the risks to health and controls introduced to mitigate these risks. The Path Forward: Schedule early conversations with FDA to determine the applicability of U.S.-based FIH studies. Presubmission Program and Meetings with FDA Staff FDA has held presubmission meetings for 20 years, but this guidance formalizes the process. What FDA says: This guidance provides specific information and illustrative examples of the meeting process, including the types of meetings, when to request a meeting, and materials to submit prior to the meeting. The Good: Sponsors have successfully used these meetings to obtain informal scientific input from FDA before engaging in expensive animal and/or clinical testing. The Bad: A presubmission meeting, or any other type of FDA meeting, can add three to four months to a timeline. The Path Forward: Straightforward devices for which FDA requirements are known do not require presubmission meetings. However, novel devices without a clear regulatory path should be discussed in a Pre-Submission Meeting. Refuse-to-Accept Policy for 510(k)s Though the current refuse-to-accept (RTA) policy described in this guidance has been in effect for nearly two years, FDA reports that approximately 50% of 510(k) submissions are still rejected during RTA review. What FDA Says: The RTA review is an administrative “pre-review” to ensure completeness of a 510(k) submission prior to substantive review. Within 14 calendar days of submission a document is either approved for regulatory review or it receives an RTA designation due to a missing component. The Good: This process helps sponsors ensure their applications are complete. Also, as part of its MDUFA III performance goals, FDA pledges to review compliant submissions in 60 days. It’s a win for sponsors and FDA. The Bad: It is no longer a viable strategy to submit while testing is in progress or to omit certain tests from a submission. Sponsors must complete all testing and supporting information and submit their 510(k) when the design validation is complete. In addition, though the RTA review is intended to be administrative, some reviewers may ask out of scope questions. The Path Forward: Follow the checklist exactly and leave nothing open to interpretation. Use the comments section to inform FDA of the rationale for anything outside of the norm. Be prepared to make revisions and address any out of scope questions. eCopy Program for Medical Device Submissions 36 The eCopy is a significant step on the road to fully electronic premarket device submissions. In fact, FDA is now running a pilot program for fully electronic 510(k) submissions. What FDA Says: A paper submission must be accompanied by an electronic copy that is its exact duplicate—an eCopy. The Good: Sponsors are no longer required to submit two paper copies. The Bad: Any discrepancies between the paper submission and the eCopy will lead to rejection. Minutiae such as file naming conventions are also strictly controlled. The Path Forward: Follow the rules. There is no other choice. Use FDA’s free eCopy validation tool before submission. Avoid the electronic 510(k) submission program until it progresses past the pilot stage. … (Source: MD+DI) пЃ† The Top 15 Medical Device Deficiencies Cited by FDA in 2014 The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released data on the observations it makes during inspections of medical device facilities, indicating the most common issues faced by medical device companies. Total 483s Issued Declines for First Time in Six Years In its most recent report, FY 2014 Inspectional Observation Summaries, FDA said it issued 972 Form 483s—forms indicating areas of noncompliance at a facility—to medical device companies in fiscal year 2014. The number of 473s issued (972) marked the first year since FY 2008 that FDA has issued fewer 483s than the year prior, and is the least issued since FY 2010 when FDA issued 976. The Top 15 Medical Device Deficiencies in FDA's 483 Reports FDA's inspections also noted common deficiencies at medical device manufacturers. Regulatory Short Description Long Description 37 Frequency Citation 21 CFR 820.100(a) Lack of or inadequate Procedures for corrective and preventive 360 procedures action have not been [adequately] established. 21 CFR 820.198(a) Lack of or inadequate Procedures for receiving, reviewing, and 251 complaint procedures evaluating complaints by a formally designated unit have not been [adequately] established. Specifically,*** 21 CFR 820.50 Purchasing controls, Lack Procedures to ensure that all purchased or 129 of or inadequate otherwise received product and services procedures conform to specified requirements have not been [adequately] established. 21 CFR 820.75(a) Lack of or inadequate A process whose results cannot be fully 122 process validation verified by subsequent inspection and test has not been [adequately] validated according to established procedures. 21 CFR 803.17 Lack of Written MDR Written MDR procedures have not been 117 Procedures [developed] [maintained] [implemented]. 21 CFR 820.100(b) Documentation Corrective and preventive action activities 101 and/or results have not been [adequately] documented. 21 CFR 820.90(a) Nonconforming product, Procedures have not been [adequately] 100 Lack of or inadequate established to control product that does not procedures conform to specified requirements. 21 CFR 820.30(i) Design changes - Lack of Procedures for design change have not 95 or Inadequate Procedures been [adequately] established. Specifically,*** 21 CFR 820.22 Quality audits - Lack of or Procedures for quality audits have not been 90 inadequate procedures [adequately] established. 21 CFR 820.198(c) Investigation of device Complaints involving the possible failure of 68 failures [a device] [labeling] [packaging] to meet any of its specifications were not [reviewed] 38 [evaluated] [investigated] where necessary. 21 CFR 820.25(b) Training - Lack of or Procedures for training and identifying 61 inadequate procedures training needs have not been [adequately] established. 21 CFR 820.40 Procedures not Document control procedures have not 61 adequately established or been adequately [established] [maintained]. maintained Specifically,*** 21 CFR 820.20(c) Management review - Procedures for management review have 60 Lack of or inadequate not been [adequately] established. procedures Specifically,*** 21 CFR 820.181 DMR not or A device master record has not been 58 inadequately maintained [adequately] maintained. 21 CFR 820.80(d) Lack of or inadequate Procedures for finished device acceptance 55 final acceptance have not been [adequately] established. procedures (Source: RAPS) пЃ† FDA seeks input on changes to Adverse Event Reporting Forms The FDA is seeking input on its proposed changes to the adverse event reporting forms 3500, 3500A and 3500B. Changes would make it easier for FDA to scan in forms using optical character recognition software. Comments are due February 9, 2015. … (Source: GPO) пЃ† Implementing the Unique Device Identifier System into health care systems is critical for reaching its potential to benefit public health As the FDA works with manufacturers to launch a new system of identifying medical devices using standard bar codes and numbers, we look forward to the day when the system, called the Unique Device Identifier (UDI) system, will be fully set up— with identifiers on device labels and a corresponding database of identifying information about most of the devices in the U.S. marketplace. But why does that matter? Much like vehicle identification numbers (VINs) for automobiles, UDIs are intended to streamline the monitoring of devices, improve safety tracking and recall efficiency, and even make it easier to evaluate device performance over time. So while there’s little doubt that UDI can improve patient safety, modernize how we evaluate devices once they are in use, and facilitate future device innovation, these benefits will only become a reality when the UDI system is adopted and integrated into the health care system—when hospitals, doctors’ offices, patient registries, heath care insurance companies, and others incorporate UDI as part of their standard electronic health information systems. 39 Without the practical implementation on the clinical side, UDI will be codes and a database with limited utility to improve patient care or reach its other critical goals. The FDA is thinking about this now—not later. While going full steam ahead to fulfill our responsibility for implementing UDI regulations for medical device manufacturers, we are doing everything we can to promote the widespread adoption of UDI in the U.S. health care system. We commissioned the Brookings Institution to create a “roadmap” for provider systems, patients, payers, supply chain personnel, and many others, to adopt and utilize UDIs. This report, released on Friday, December 5, provides 17 recommendations for adopting UDIs across three major intersections of the health care system—providers (e.g., electronic health records, hospital inventory management, billing records); administrative transactions (e.g., claims data and payment information); and patient-directed tools (e.g., mobile apps and public awareness campaigns). We’re working hard to create and populate an efficient and useful UDI system for medical devices. But even the perfect system will fail to improve patient care if it’s not properly integrated into electronic health information systems. That process has to start now. Today, we are co-sponsoring with Pew Charitable Trusts and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) a meeting where some 400 experts are convening to discuss changes that are needed to store and share UDI information throughout the health care system, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care. The goal is to have the UDI system not only up and running—but actually used as the key to unlock important data that can help patients. But how does such a system really help patients and the providers who care for them? Consider a possible scenario where the connections made via UDI could make an important difference in patient care. A patient undergoing knee surgery—we’ll call him John—has the UDI of his knee implant scanned and electronically recorded into his clinical record. When John is discharged, he can also register the UDI into his personal health record (PHR), available from his provider, through a variety of mobile apps that can enable two-way communication with his provider. Having the UDI recorded will help John to know if safety alerts apply to his specific implant. It will also help him accurately report any potential adverse event to the provider, the FDA, or the manufacturer, with the confidence that the UDI ensures that all parties know what the type of device may be causing John—and possibly other patients—problems. Importantly, if John hears about knee implants being recalled, he will be able to quickly pinpoint, by using his UDI, if his particular type of implant is involved in that recall. If it’s not, John may avoid needless anxiety; if it is, he can take any necessary action, such as following up with his orthopedic surgeon. The UDI from John’s surgery is also available to be transmitted to a total joint replacement registry, without any of his personal information. Data from the registry may then be used to support the development of innovative implants and reduce the data requirements for — or replace altogether — postmarket studies conducted by the device manufacturer to demonstrate long-term performance. The possibilities of UDI are exciting—better and more precise information can lead to better care and better awareness of how medical devices work in the general population. The FDA is working to set up the system, but implementation and integration are critical. The question is—if we build it, will people adopt it? 40 Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D., is Director of FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (Source: FDA) пЃ† FDA - Advisory Committee Calendar п‚· January 22, 2015: Anti-Infective Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting Announcement п‚· January 12, 2015: Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting Announcement п‚· January 7, 2015: Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting Announcement пЃ† CDRH updates approvals/clearances The CDRH has posted the 510(k) final decisions that were made in November 2014. … (Source: FDA) пЃ† CDRH updates advisory committee meeting information The CDRH has issued a notice of the postponement of the Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel December meeting and the addition of the transcript to the November meeting of the Ophthalmic Devices Panel. Federal Register: Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee; Notice of Postponement of Meeting Transcript posted for November 14, 2014 Ophthalmic Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee Meeting пЃ† FDA honcho Maisel: Study could downgrade some high-risk devices The FDA is about halfway through a retrospective study of its pre-market approval program, a review that could result in some devices being removed from the highest-risk category, according to Dr. Bill Maisel, deputy director for science at the FDA's Center for Devices & Radiological Health. Maisel, speaking before a group of medtech executives in Waltham, Mass., yesterday, said the FDA would be completing its review of the PMA program in 2015. "We're going to see if we can shift some of the pre-market data to post-market," he told the crowd at MassMEDIC's annual FDA update. Maisel said the FDA is conducting a review of the PMA process back to its inception in 1976, including whether or not some devices, which were once classified as "high risk" can be reclassified in order to improve the process of approving medical devices for market. Maisel also highlighted the agency's improvements in speeding up timelines for both PMAs and 510(k) clearances, saying the FDA has done a better job of improving its customer service. … (Source: MassDevice) пЃ† Alere Gets FDA Waiver for Rapid HIV Test The FDA has granted a waiver under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments for expanded use of the Alere Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo test for HIV infection. The point-of-care rapid diagnostic test, previously only available to hospitals and laboratories licensed to conduct moderate complexity tests, can now be used in doctor’s offices, clinics and public health settings. 41 The test, first approved in August 2013, is capable of detecting HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies and free HIV p24 antigen, which appears just days after infection and before the HIV antibody is detectable. This helps healthcare providers detect HIV infection earlier in the course of the disease, which in turn can improve clinical outcomes and patient treatment, the Waltham, Mass.-based Alere says. … (Source: FDAnews) пЃ† Screening Test Approved for Viruses That Cause Blood Cancer The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved MP Diagnostics HTLV Blot 2.4, the first FDAlicensed supplemental test for Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus-I/II (HTLV-I/II). This test is intended for use as an additional, more specific test for human serum or plasma specimens that have previously tested positive on an FDA-licensed HTLV-I/II blood donor screening test. The MP Diagnostics HTLV Blot 2.4 is a qualitative enzyme immunoassay test intended to confirm infection with HTLV and to differentiate between HTLV-I and HTLV-II. The Human T-cell Lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) are a group of human retroviruses known to cause diseases such as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (a rare form of blood cancer) and inflammation of the nerves in the spinal cord (myelopathy), as well as other conditions. HTLV can be transmitted from person to person through breastfeeding, unprotected sexual contact, or transfusion of blood from an infected donor. Because HTLV can be transmitted through blood, the FDA requires that donated blood be tested for HTLVI/II antibodies. Currently there are two FDA-licensed screening tests for HTLV-I/II. If the test is positive, the donation is discarded and the donor is notified of his or her deferral. The MP Diagnostics HTLV Blot 2.4 provides blood establishments with additional information to convey to the donor; specifically, the test can confirm HTLV infection and determine which virus type is causing the infection, HTLV-I or HTLV-II. “The approval of MP Diagnostics HTLV Blot 2.4 will help blood establishments better counsel donors who have had positive results on an FDA-licensed HTLV-I/II screening test,” said Karen Midthun, M.D., director of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Many people who are infected with HTLV are unaware of the infection because the virus may not cause any symptoms or signs of infection. Additionally, many people infected with HTLV-I or HTLV-II may never develop any disease caused by the viruses. However, these asymptomatic carriers can still transmit the viruses to others. MP Diagnostics HTLV Blot 2.4 is manufactured by MP Biomedicals Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. Singapore, a company of MP Biomedicals LLC, Santa Ana, California. … (Source : FDA) пЃ† Cianna Medical wins FDA nod for breast surgery device Cianna Medical said it reached a new milestone, winning FDA clearance for new surgical guidance tech designed to boost precision in breast biopsies and lumpectomies. Plans call for a slow rollout, with a gradual expansion in 2015 beyond 2 medical centers in Florida and Tennessee currently involved in a pilot study, the company said. "We believe it has the potential to reduce surgical delays, improve patient satisfaction and optimize surgical planning," CEO Jill Anderson said in prepared remarks. The Savi Scout surgical guidance system is designed to produce audible and visual indicators surgeons can use to tag cancerous tissue during lumpectomy and biopsy procedures. 42 The surgeon uses a hand piece that emits infrared light and electromagnetic waves to locate a reflector placed in target tissue as long as a week before surgery. After reaching the surgical bulls-eye, the surgeon takes out the target tissue and the reflector, according to the company. No radiation is involved. It is designed for breast conservation surgery, where surgeons remove all detectable cancer cells. … (Source: MassDevice) пЃ† FDA Clears Quidel's MDx for Bordetella Pertussis Quidel said after the close of the market on Wednesday that the US Food and Drug Administration has cleared the company's AmpliVue Bordetella Assay. The assay detects Bordetella pertussis nucleic acids isolated from nasopharyngeal swab specimens from patients suspected of having a respiratory tract infection due to the bacteria, which causes whooping cough. Quidel's test is a self-contained handheld molecular diagnostic that requires no upfront DNA extraction and can generate results in about 75 minutes. The AmpliVue Bordetella Assay is CLIA-classified as moderately complex. It is the fifth assay in the AmpliVue format, the San Diego-based company said. In July the FDA cleared the AmpliVue GAS Assay for detection of Group A Streptococcus. In late 2013, it cleared the AmpliVue Group B Strep Assay, and in 2012, it cleared the AmpliVue C. difficile assay. The AmpliVue technology was developed by BioHelix which Quidel acquired last year. Even before the acquisition, though, Quidel had been using the technology, dubbed helicase-dependent amplification (HAD), under a collaborative R&D agreement forged by the two firms in 2009. … (Source: GenomeWeb) пЃ† FDA Approves Blood Test That Gauges Heart Attack Risk The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved a new blood test that can help determine a person's future odds for heart attack and other heart troubles. The test is designed for people with no history of heart disease, and it appears to be especially useful for women, and black women in particular, the agency said. "A cardiac test that helps better predict future coronary heart disease risk in women, and especially black women, may help health care professionals identify these patients before they experience a serious [heart disease] event, like a heart attack," Alberto Gutierrez, director of the Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health in the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in an agency news release. The test tracks the activity of a specific biological signal of vascular inflammation, called Lp-PLA2. Vascular inflammation is strongly associated with the buildup of artery-clogging plaques in blood vessels, the FDA explained. As plaque accumulates, arteries narrow and the chances of a serious cardiovascular event increase. "Patients with test results that show Lp-PLA2 activity greater than the level of 225 nanomoles per minute per milliliter are at increased risk for a [heart disease] event," the FDA said. The FDA said its approval of the new blood test comes from data compiled in a study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Almost 4,600 people aged 45 to 92 with no prior history of heart disease took part in the study, and were followed for an average of just over five years. 43 In subgroup analyses, the test seemed especially sensitive for black women, because they experienced a "higher jump" in the rate of heart attack and other heart disease events when their blood levels of LpPLA2 exceeded a certain level. "As a result, the test's labeling contains separate performance data for black women, black men, white women and white men," the FDA said. … (Source : HealthDay) пЃ† Brainsway wins FDA nod for PTSD test Israel's Brainsway will commence a 166-patient trial at 15 medical centers to test whether its deep transcranial magnetic stimulation device can treat patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. Brainsway said it won an investigational device exemption from the FDA to get the neurostimulator trial going. The company's Deep TMS technology has had Israeli regulatory approval since October 2011 to treat major depression, bipolar disorder and negative impairment in schizophrenia patients. It has FDA clearance to treat patients with depression who haven't responded to medication treatments in the current depressive episode. Brainsway CEO Uzi Sofer noted in prepared remarks that this is the 5th FDA approval for a pivotal multicenter trial, 4 of which will be held simultaneously. This new IDE zeroes in specifically on Brainsway's H-Coil technology, which Sofer said was specifically developed to treat PTSD. … (Source: MassDevice) пЃ† CenterVue Gets FDA Nod for True-Color Confocal Scanner CenterVue Tuesday announced the launch of its Eidon true-color confocal scanner following FDA 510(k) clearance. The device is the first retinal imaging system to combine confocal scanning with true-color imaging capabilities, according to the Fremont, Calif., firm. The fully automated Eidon’s combination of confocal imaging technology and white light illumination provides superior contrast and image quality over a traditional fundus camera, simplifying the diagnosis of retinal diseases, CenterVue says. The scanner allows for both central and outer retinal imaging, providing a viewing angle of up to 110 degrees, and its multiple imaging methods — true color, red-free and infrared — yield information on different layers of the retina, the company notes. … (Source : FDAnews) пЃ† FDA Clears Additional Flu Strains for Focus' MDx Assay Quest Diagnostics business Focus Diagnostics today said that the US Food and Drug Administration has cleared eight additional influenza strains on the Simplexa Flu A/B & RSV Direct kit. The kit originally received 510(k) clearance in 2012. The additional flu strains cleared by the FDA are H7N9; H3N2 (both the Minnesota and Indiana strains; H1N1 (2011); H3N2 (the Ohio and Texas strains); and influenza B (Brisbane and Wisconsin strains). Focus said that the novel avian influenza A strain H7N9, which can kill as many as one-third of people it infects, and H3N2, which infects people more easily than other swine influenza virus according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are of particular concern. 44 "Influenza viruses constantly evolve, and virus subtypes can quickly develop and infect large populations," Hollis Batterman, medical director for infectious diseases at Focus, said in a statement. "It is vital that the tests can detect the recently circulating and geographically diverse strains." … (Source: GenomeWeb) пЃ† Siemens files 510(k) for CT lung cancer screening Siemens Healthcare has filed a 510(k) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market CT lung cancer screening on its entire line of CT scanners. Siemens made the submission because current FDA clearances for CT scanners cover their use as diagnostic tools rather than for screening applications. Receiving a specific 510(k) clearance will allow Siemens to market its scanners as screening tools. The Siemens submission is for its Lung Low Dose protocol, which enables technologists to perform automated lung studies simply by selecting the protocol from a drop-down menu. The tool uses anatomical landmarks found on a patient to select the appropriate scan range. The radiation dose generated by the protocol varies by scanner, but Siemens is reporting an average dose across all of its systems of 0.8 mSv per scan. Siemens believes the radiation dose on its flagship Somatom Force scanner is even lower. This compares to an average dose of 1.5 mSv in the landmark National Lung Screening Trial, which established the clinical effectiveness of lung cancer screening with low-dose CT. That trial was performed in 2000 with CT equipment that was nearly 15 years older than today's technology. … (Source: AuntMinnie) пЃ† Assistance with U.S. FDA Regulations Registrar Corp provides Registration, U.S. Agent, and Compliance Assistance for U.S. and Non-U.S. Companies in the Food and Beverage, Medical Device, Drug, and Cosmetics Industries. … (Source : Registrarcorp) пЃ† NIH Awards $640K Grant to Rutgers Researcher for Rapid Ebola Dx The National Institutes of Health has awarded Rutgers New Jersey Medical School researcher David Alland a $640,000 grant to develop a rapid detection test for the Ebola virus. The amplicon-nested PCR-based assay is designed to be performed on Cepheid's GeneXpert platform using the firm's assay cartridges. The Ebola test would analyze small amounts of patients' blood or samples taken from cheek swabs. Alland said in a statement that he hopes to develop the assay within the next 15 months. 45 In collaboration with Sunnyvale, Calif.-based molecular diagnostics firm Cepheid, Alland's team had previously developed a rapid detection test for tuberculosis. "The beauty of this approach is that there's already a substantial supply of these instruments in developing countries because of the TB tests, so we can piggyback," Alland said. Cepheid, which markets the TB test, said more than 3,500 of the GeneXpert systems are now in use in the developing world, including 1,000 in Africa. The new award is a supplement to a five-year NIH grant awarded to Alland's team and Cepheid in 2012 to develop sample prep methods and nested PCR assays to detect bloodstream infections. … (Source: GenomeWeb) http://www.pcori.org/ пЃ† PCORI and NIH Partner on Request for Applications to Study How to Improve Blood Pressure Control in High-Risk Individuals The National Institutes of Health (NIH), as part of a research partnership with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), issued a Request for Applications (RFA) to study how to improve blood pressure control among populations at highest risk for suffering hypertension-related strokes, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular events. PCORI has committed up to $25 million to fund up to two patient-centered trials through the Hypertension Disparities Reduction Program Partnership (HDRPP) with NIH’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). PCORI’s Addressing Disparities program and NIH agreed to collaborate on this patient-centered research initiative to fill important evidence gaps on what works best to control high blood pressure, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, among high-risk populations. Approximately 67 million U.S. adults have hypertension, more than half of whom do not have it under control. More than three-quarters of people who have suffered a stroke have high blood pressure, as do nearly 70 percent of those who have had a heart attack. Hypertension disproportionately affects certain populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with low socioeconomic status, and those who live in rural communities. For example, AfricanAmerican men were 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than white men in 2007, and rural residents are more likely to be diagnosed with heart disease than urban dwellers. Moreover, African Americans’ rate of stroke is more than double that of Caucasians, and this disparity is most pronounced in middle-aged black men. Previous research studies have rarely targeted these high-risk populations exclusively nor fully engaged patients and clinicians in the research. “We’re excited to work with our colleagues at NIH on this initiative to address the burden of high blood pressure among patients at highest risk for heart failure, heart attacks, and other hypertension-related events,” said Romana Hasnain-Wynia, MS, PhD, Director of PCORI’s Addressing Disparities program. “By focusing our efforts on these populations, we expect to generate useful evidence that will fill important 46 gaps in our knowledge of prevention and treatment and help these patients and their clinicians to gain a better understanding of how to manage their blood pressure.” “If we are able to understand how to effectively treat hypertension in high-risk populations, we are certain to realize reductions in cardiovascular disease among all Americans,” said NHLBI Director Gary Gibbons, MD. “High blood pressure damages the entire circulatory system. This initiative could help us learn how to better control high blood pressure and reduce patient’s risk for heart disease, heart failure, and other serious events, thereby improving the lives of 33 percent of adults in this country living with high blood pressure.” “Hypertension is the largest cause of stroke, but it is also mostly controllable with appropriate treatment,” said NINDS Acting Director Walter Koroshetz, MD. “NINDS research has shown that there are major disparities in stroke in the U.S., particularly in the southeastern U.S., which has been called the вЂ�Stroke Belt.’ By working with PCORI, we are hopeful that these disparities can finally be eradicated through better blood pressure management.“ The HDRPP funding announcement seeks proposals for comprehensive comparative effectiveness studies to test a variety of methods and combinations of methods and interventions to improve blood pressure control, such as self-measured blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle modification, and patient counseling. Proposals must demonstrate strong patient and stakeholder engagement. Letters of Intent (LOIs), though not required, may be submitted to NIH by Tuesday, Jan. 13, and applications are due by Friday, Feb. 13. Interested applicants should consult the full RFA, titled "Testing Multi-Level Interventions to Improve Blood Pressure Control in Minority Racial/Ethnic, Low Socioeconomic Status, and/or Rural Populations (UH2/UH3),” for eligibility requirements, application criteria and instructions, deadline updates, and other details. … (Source: PCORI) пЃ† PCORI Board Approves Providing Up to $50 Million for CER on Hepatitis C The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Board of Governors today approved the development of a PCORI Funding Announcement (PFA) providing up to $50 million for up to four comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) studies on the best ways to diagnose and treat hepatitis C virus infection. The Board also approved the issuance of two PFAs totaling up to $150.7 million to support the second phase of development of PCORnet, PCORI’s initiative to improve the efficiency of health research nationwide by harnessing the power of data from electronic health records and other sources. With the Board’s approval, PCORI will develop a PFA focused on hepatitis C virus (HCV) research questions that emerged as the highest priorities during a multi-stakeholder workshop PCORI hosted on October 17. The four priority topics are: п‚· п‚· п‚· Finding out which screening methods and testing strategies in which settings lead to the best detection rates. Assessing alternative ways to deliver care to high-risk populations. Exploring the trade-offs between long-term virologic response and adverse effects associated with different regimens of new oral antiviral medications. 47 п‚· Comparing the benefits and harms of starting treatment immediately after a diagnosis versus active surveillance, in which treatment starts once a patient shows progression to liver disease or other manifestations of infection. Hepatitis C affects more than 3 million people in the United States, the majority of whom are undiagnosed. About one-third of these individuals will develop chronic liver disease if untreated. “HCV is a major health threat that can have devastating consequences for infected people and their families,” said PCORI Executive Director Joe Selby, MD, MPH. “Recently approved medications are immensely promising and offer vast improvements over previous therapies, but as yet there’s no вЂ�realworld’ evidence of their long-term effectiveness nor comparative evidence to help inform decisions about screening, diagnosis, and treatment of HCV. “In response to the feedback we’ve received from many healthcare stakeholders, and with the approval of our Board, PCORI will issue a funding announcement in the next few months to support CER that will build the evidence needed to better inform practice and address questions important to patients,” Selby said. PCORI also will issue two funding announcements later this month to support the next stage of PCORnet’s development, funding up to 13 of the Clinical Data Research Networks (CDRNs) and up to 22 of the Patient-Powered Research Networks (PPRNs) that make up PCORnet. PCORI will provide up to $8.75 million for each CDRN and up to $1.68 million for each PPRN over the three-year second phase of PCORnet’s development, which will begin in September 2015 at the end of the 18-month first phase. All of the 11 current CDRNs and 18 PPRNs are eligible to apply as are new networks that can meet the baseline requirements within six months of the beginning of Phase II. In other business, the Board discussed PCORI’s proposed research strategy for the next five years. PCORI plans to continue to fund research under its broad funding announcements at a reduced level, and shift funding toward a smaller number of larger studies focused on specific high-priority topics. PCORI will make extended funding commitments to select topics and in some cases fund clusters of studies around a particular topic to produce more comprehensive findings that will have greater impact. The strategy builds on PCORI’s previous investments and leverages the topic prioritization process facilitated by its six multi-stakeholder advisory panels. The plan also encourages research that will tap into PCORnet once it is fully operational. Presentation materials and an archive of the webinar from today’s Board meeting are available on PCORI’s website. … (Source : PCORI) http://www.ahrq.gov/ 48 http://www.iom.edu/ SANTE CANADA/HEALTH CANADA http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-fra.php пЃ† Aurora Spine receives Canadian medical device license for ZIP fusion system Aurora Spine received the Health Canada Medical Device License for its ZIP Interspinous Fusion System. The fixation implant intended for spinal fusion, consists of a ONE-STEP locking mechanism, articulating spikes and various sizes to accommodate variations in patient anatomy. Aurora Spine received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the system in November 2013. "As a company traded on the TSX Venture Exchange, this is a significant milestone for Aurora Spine and its global growth. We are pleased to offer the ZIP MIS Interspinous Fusion System in Canada and introduce Aurora Spine's advanced, innovative, minimally invasive spine surgery technologies which are designed to improve spine patient outcomes, drive continued surgeon interests and provide unique benefits that deliver value to hospitals and patients," said Trent J. Northcutt, president and CEO of Aurora Spine. … (Source : Becker’sSpine) LATIN AMERICA SSA http://www.salud.gob.mx/ http://portal.anvisa.gov.br/wps/portal/anvisa/home AUSTRALIA & NEW ZELAND http://tga.gov.au/ пЃ† Business gateway to eBusiness Services - launching in early 2015 In early 2015, the TGA will be launching the first of a series of upgrades to its existing eBusiness Services. 49 The first upgrade will allow eBS clients to access a user-friendly gateway to: п‚· access and manage (where appropriate) their contact details and other information held by TGA, and п‚· view and pay invoices. All current eBS functions will still be available through the new gateway and you will still be able to submit applications and provide information to the TGA through eBS. The new gateway is undergoing extensive user testing with current eBS users to make sure we deliver the most user-friendly system. We will communicate with you via email and website updates so you can stay up to date with any actions that need to be taken before the launch. If you wish to receive emails about any changes to the current eBS please subscribe to the TGA eBS Notices email list. Throughout 2015 more improvements will be made to eBS and we will keep you informed about these upgrades. This work is being completed as part of our efforts to reduce regulatory burden and in line with our TGA Business Plan 2014-2015 which outlines one of our major priorities which includes enhancing our business capability and improving business processes and systems for our clients. … (Source: TGA) пЃ† Declaration that certain IVDs are medical devices In December 2014 the National Manager of the Therapeutic Goods Administration signed the Therapeutic Goods (Articles that are Medical Devices) Specification 2014. The Specification ensures that pathology tests and related instrumentation, that are used for the purpose of predicting the susceptibility or predisposition of persons to a disease or ailment, are medical devices for the purposes of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices) Regulations 2002. The Specification also corrects a drafting oversight by specifying that pathology tests and related instrumentation, that are used to test for pregnancy in persons, are medical devices. The Specification was recommended in the Regulation Impact Statement proposing amendments to the new regulatory framework for in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs). The Specification is intended to put beyond doubt that such goods are medical devices and to ensure that these goods can be regulated under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices) Regulations 2002 as IVD medical devices, consistent with other medical devices of comparable risk. A copy of the instrument can be found on the Medical devices notices & standards orders page. (Source: TGA) пЃ† TGA - presentation on CTs TGA - Clinical trials - 3 Dec 2014.pdf 50 пЃ† TGA presentation given at the Australasian Ethics Network Conference workshop, 3 December 2014 (Source: TGA) пЃ† Schedule of fees and charges The TGA has successfully transitioned from Westpac Banking Corporation (Westpac) to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) for all transactional banking services, including all payments for services provided by the TGA. The Westpac account will be closed on 23 December 2014 and payments to the TGA through that account will no longer be accepted after this date. For your reference, all EFT payments should be made to: Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia BSB: 062-909 Account: 10215498 Payments by credit card should be made through https://www.bpoint.com.au/payments/TGA (link is external). Assistance TGA Accounts Receivable: Ph. +61 2 6221 6900 OR email accountsrec@tga.gov.au (link sends e-mail) … (Source: TGA) пЃ† ACMD meeting statement, Meeting 17, 28 November 2014 ACMD meeting statement, Meeting 17, 28 November 2014 пЃ† ACMD meeting statement, Meeting 16, 26 September 2014 ACMD meeting statement, Meeting 16, 26 September 2014 пЃ† Meeting dates for 2015 now available Advisory Committee on the Safety of Medicines (ACSOM) Advisory Committee on the Safety of Medical Devices (ACSMD) INDIA & ASIA 51 China SFDA | Hong Kong MDCO & PSDH | India CDSCO | Japan MHLW | Korea KFDA | Malaysia MOH | Philippines DOH | Singapore HSA | Taiwan TFDA | Thailand FDA | Vietnam MOH http://www.pmda.go.jp/english/ пЃ† Japan hosts 15th global health meeting The European Commission participated at the 15th ministerial meeting of the Global Health Security Initiative (GHSI) hosted by Japan in Tokyo, on December 11, which brought together health ministers and representatives from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, US, Mexico, and the World Health Organization. The aim of the GHSI is to forge stronger global collaboration on health security by addressing health threats from chemical, biological and radio/nuclear agents and by collaborating on the development of preparedness and response on pandemic influenza. CommuniquГ© setting out the achievements of the Global Health Security Initiative - 15th Ministerial meeting on the GHSI (December 11, 2014) http://www.sfdachina.com/?gclid=CIes_4rZnrMCFe_MtAod_0gAeA пЃ† Potential New Tool for Cervical Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Cervical cancer is, in many ways, a shining example of how successful the war on cancer can be. Thanks largely to the advent of Pap smear screening, U.S. cervical cancer deaths decreased dramatically, by more than 60 percent, between 1955 and 1992. In the last two decades, better treatment outcomes and more powerful imaging techniques have steadily pushed 5-year survival rates ever higher. The latest weapons in modern medicine's arsenal are two new vaccines that were recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for preventing this type of cancer altogether. As rosy a picture as that paints, cervical cancer continues to claim far too many lives. Thousands of American women still die from the disease every year, and hundreds of thousands of other women around the world suffer the same fate -- sad, stark statistics that showcase the continued need for more advanced screening methods to catch more cases of the disease early, when it is most treatable. Now a team of researchers from Central South University in China have demonstrated that a technique known as photoacoustic imaging, which is already under investigation for detecting skin or breast cancers and for monitoring therapy, also has the potential to be a new, faster, cheaper and non-invasive method to detect, diagnose and stage cervical cancer with high accuracy. Their work appears in a new paper in The Optical Society journal. 52 In this paper, the researchers describe how they examined 30 cervical tissue samples with photoacoustic imaging. Some were taken from healthy women and some of the samples contained the cancerous cells of a cervical tumor. They found that photoacoustic imaging could distinguish the cancerous from the normal tissue and had the potential to evaluate the stage of the cancer. Our results show that the photoacoustic imaging may have great potential in the clinical diagnosis of cervical cancer, said Jiaying Xiao, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Central South University, who led the research. The technique is non-invasive and can detect the lesions in the cervical canal, an area conventional methods fail to observe. The photoacoustic imaging can also evaluate the invasion depth of cervical lesions more effectively. … (Source : PMPnews) MFDS http://www.kfda.go.kr/eng/index.do;jsessionid=8WaGRaioTcYSanehB1hMj6KOHjYV58zMGvaefbMlRWUQqdgxsIWA05GwBX1zZoJG WHITE-TILLET Partner in South Korea пЃ† MFDS soliciting input on tissue bank safety management guidance The MFDS seeks input on tissue bank safety management guidance designed to ensure there is no risk of cross-contamination in tissue processing rooms and facilities. … (Source: MFDS) пЃ† MFDS posts GMP seminar materials The MFDS has posted presentations made at the November Medical Device GMP Certification International Seminar. … (Source: MFDS) пЃ† MFDS designates public institutions for device trials The MFDS has posted the names of the public institutions that are designated to conduct medical device clinical trials. пЃ† MFDS designates public institutions for device trials The MFDS has posted the names of the public institutions that are designated to conduct medical device clinical trials. 53 HSA http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/home.html#page=tab1 CDSCO http://www.cdsco.nic.in/ пЃ† Indian regulator soliciting feedback on regulatory system upgrade plan India's Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation is soliciting feedback on a Ministry of Health and Welfare plan to upgrade the country's regulatory system at both national and state levels over the next three years. The goal of the upgrade is to "facilitate expeditious consideration and faster decision making and testing of medical products wherever required and serve the objective of the quality, safety and efficacy of drugs and other medical and cosmetics products." On both state and national levels, the plan calls for setting up new drug testing laboratories and upgrading those already running; creation of new lab and regulatory positions, with appropriate training for new hires; and strengthening enforcement mechanisms. The plan also proposes the establishment of a Training Academy and implementation of an e-Governance mechanism and networking of CDSCO and State Drugs Control Departments. Comments on the proposed plan can be submitted until December 22, 2014. … (Source: CDSCO) пЃ† IISc scientists help peer into insides of HIV-infected cell A new biosensor can measure what is going on within HIV-infected cells in real-time and also provide insight on the interactions between the AIDS virus and the tuberculosis causing bacteria within the cells. Researchers from IISc, Bangalore, the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi and Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi have exploited this non-invasive biosensor that can measure what is going on within HIV-1 infected cells in real-time. This technology can offer insights which can help in controlling the AIDS infection besides insight on the interactions between HIV-1 and TBcausing bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), says a release by Gubbi Labs. Since its discovery, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS has caused an estimated 36 mn deaths worldwide (as of 2012). Its causative agent, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), has thus been a hot topic of research. Human body produces oxygen free radicals called Reactive Oxygen Species or ROS, during routine cellular metabolism. When not regulated properly, accumulation of these ROS can lead to oxidative stress. Heightened oxidative stress is one of the primary causes of reactivation of HIV-1 in infected cells. Oxidative stress also decreases proliferation of disease fighting immune cells; besides, it causes loss of memory in immune cells. These factors reduce the efficiency of the immune response toward the HIV. A major cellular 54 antioxidant called glutathione (GSH) functions as a protective shield against the oxidative stress. GSH levels in infected cells and tissues are indicators of the level of infection. The team has devised a noninvasive biosensor methodology for precise measurements of GSH levels within HIV-1 infected cells. Earlier methods use whole cell or tissue extracts, which destroy detailed information related to the GSH levels in different areas within an infected cell. Study discovered that a modest increase in oxidative stress is sufficient to reactivate virus from latency. This may allow researchers to adopt a "shock-and-kill" strategy in which virus could be reactivated by oxidative stress inducing compounds and subsequently killed/flushed by current anti-HIV drugs. The fluctuation of GSH levels detected by the biosensor also helps understand the expression of antioxidant genes and related pathways during latent and active stages of infection. … (Source: BS) DISCOVERY - DESIGN - DEVELOPMENT пЃ† Key Considerations for Designing Neurovascular Microcatheters Significant technological progress, favorable reimbursement conditions, and the medical device industry's windfall—the massive army of aging baby boomers—will spur the U.S. neurovascular market to exceed $600 million by 2020, according to market research firm iData Research. And a critical driver of growth in this sector has been the various advancements in microcatheter design and development. "Almost every device placement or therapy taking place in or above the neck will require a microcatheter to support the intervention," comments Steven W. Berhow, president of Rogers, MN-based Biomerics Advanced Catheter. The increasing move to minimally invasive surgical procedures has motivated medical tubing and extrusion experts to test the boundaries of miniaturization. Specialists have sought to strike a delicate balance in terms of achieving the smallest possible outside diameter for a catheter without compromising performance characteristics for a given application. Designing microcatheters for neurovascular interventions takes these demanding requirements a step further, however. Beyond shrinking profiles, these microcatheters pose additional challenges because they must be able to carefully navigate the winding, delicate anatomy of the tiny blood vessels that run through the head and neck. "Devices used in the neurospace require microcatheters that can transverse very tortuous anatomies while maintaining pushabilitiy and the lumen itself," Berhow says. "The design must have characteristics constructed into the shaft and tip that allow the microcatheter to reach its intended work site and deliver the therapy without damaging the vessels it is moving through." 55 To this end, microcatheters must possess the following traits, according to Berhow: 1. Good torque within the shaft from the proximal to the distal end 2. Flexibility in the distal portion of the catheter 3. Kink resistance 4. Visibility under fluoroscopy 5. Low stretch 6. High pressure 7. Good guidewire movement "These devices tend to be high-end catheters that are very complicated to design and manufacture," Berhow says. "Microcatheters are designed with very small walls, thin lubricious liners, high counts of reinforced braid, antikink characteristics, and they need to maintain visibility under fluoroscopy." … (Source: MD+DI) пЃ† Renal denervation: Analysis highlights 'confounding' factors in Medtronic's Symplicity-3 trial A post-study analysis of data from Medtronic's failed Symplicity-3 trial of renal denervation in treating hypertension reveals several "confounding factors" that may have contributed to the trial missing its efficacy endpoint. Early this year the results of the Symplicity-3 trial, widely expected to be a home fun for RDN in hypertension, shocked the medical device world when Medtronic reported no significant difference between treatment with its Symplicity device and a sham procedure. The results prompted Medtronic to suspend enrollment in 3 other RDN trials around the world and led to other companies in the space either suspending their programs or abandoning them altogether. But a Medtronic-sponsored examination of the data from Symplicity-3, published last month in the European Heart Journal, suggest that medication adherence, changes in drug regimens and variations in the RDN procedure may have led to the surprising results of the trial. … (Source: MassDevice) пЃ† TAVI: Transcatheter Technologies to develop transfemoral valve Transcatheter Technologies said today that it's adding a new version of its Trinity transcatheter aortic valve implant, designed to be delivered transfemorally, in addition to the existing transapical version of the device. The transapical approach is performed via an incision between the ribs; in the transfemoral approach the device is introduced via the femoral artery in the thigh. Regensburg, Germany-based Transcatheter Technologies touts its Trinity valve as the only TAVI device that's "truly" repositionable, even after full implantation. Trinity is also designed to minimize or eliminate the paravalvular leakage that's plagued early TAVI devices, according to a press release. … (Source: MassDevice) 56 пЃ† Targeted Adsorption of Molecules in the Colon With the Novel Adsorbent-Based Medicinal Product, DAV132: A Proof of Concept Study in Healthy Subjects Gunzburg J., Ducher A., Modess C., et al. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology / Vol XX No XX (2014) Abstract During antibiotic treatments, active residuals reaching the colon profoundly affect the bacterial flora resulting in the emergence of resistance. To prevent these effects, we developed an enteric-coated formulated activated-charcoal based product, DAV132, meant to deliver its adsorbent to the ileum and neutralize antibiotic residues in the proximal colon. In a randomized, control, crossover study, the plasma pharmacokinetics of the probe drugs amoxicillin (500 mg) absorbed in the proximal intestine, and sulfapyridine (25 mg) metabolized from sulfasalazine in the cecum and rapidly absorbed, were compared after a single administration in 18 healthy subjects who had received DAV132, uncoated formulated activated charcoal (FAC) or water 16 and 8 hours before, concomitantly with the probe drugs, and 8 hours thereafter. The AUC0–96 h of amoxicillin was reduced by morethan 70% when it was taken with FAC, but bioequivalent when it was taken with water or DAV132. By contrast, the AUC0–96 h of sulfapyridine was reduced by more than 90% when administered with either FAC or DAV132 in comparison with water. The results show that DAV132 can selectively adsorb drug compounds in the proximal colon, without interfering with drug absorption in the proximal small intestine, thereby constituting a proof of concept that DAV132 actually functions in humans. пЃ† Australia's VCGS Inks Deal with Illumina to Develop NIPT Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, a genetic testing subsidiary of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, has struck a deal with Illumina for non-invasive prenatal testing. Under the agreement, VCGS will develop its own non-invasive prenatal test using Illumina's sequencing technology, which it will begin offering in early 2015. Prior to launching its own test, VCGS will send samples to Illumina for testing. "This agreement positions VCGS at the frontier of prenatal testing in Australia, and offers patients exciting and powerful new options for genetic testing," Damien Bruno, deputy laboratory director at VCGS, said in a statement. VCGS currently provides maternal serum screening for more than 58,000 women annually. It also offers genetic services, including genetic counseling and education. … (Source : GenomeWeb) пЃ† Novel Wearable Patch Allows Pregnant Women to Measure Contractions Back in 2012, Eric Dy and Julien Penders developed wearable health technologies for corporate partners in consumer and medical markets, then at the electronics research center Imec. The aim was to combine clinical quality in consumer form factors. When Penders had his first child, both were stricken by the fact that pregnancy was a time full of questions and concerns for expecting mothers who often encountered a lack of reliable information. “Care teams are working with limited data while there are no solutions out there to answer their 57 questions and help them live a healthy pregnancy,” Penders explained. Dy and Penders decided to found the start-up Bloom to help pregnant women to find answers to the questions they have. Their first product are clinically accurate patches that measure and track contractions. The patch is based on technology from Imec, where the founders have been developing ultra low power wearable systems for physiological tracking for more than a decade. The patch communicates to a smartphone where a woman can easily visualize the frequency and duration of her contractions, and share this with her partner or care team. While contractions are measured at the hospital using a tocodynamometer, which is a pressure-based measurement, Bloom takes a different approach. “Our method to contraction monitoring is based on measuring the electrical activity of the uterus. Just like you measure the electrical activity of the heart when doing an ECG check,” Penders explained. “The electrical activity of the uterus is the source of the contraction, while pressure is its consequence. Measuring the source of the contractions provides a more direct and accurate measurement.” He points out that different types of contraction have different electrical signatures, which makes it possible to to differentiate different types of contractions. “We also plan to release upgrades to distinguish between Braxton Hicks and labor inducing contractions as well as track other parameters of fetal and maternal health. The consumer focused platform aims to capture the most comprehensive dataset on maternal health ever collected,” Penders told EMDT. With this information, Bloom looks to partner with clinical researchers to help understand and solve large and growing pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth. While the technology reassures mothers-to-be by helping them to identify contractions, it also produces valuable data that might provide women with personalized feedback and notifications to manage their health. “Lifestyle related pregnancy complications result in a significant increase in healthcare costs during pregnancy and labor, and after delivery for both mother and baby,” Penders explains. “For example, more than one half of pregnant women are overweight or obese which has been shown to increase the risk of c-section. Gestational diabetes mellitus rates are increasing and affect 7-18% of pregnancies in US.” According to Penders, hypertension complicates 6-8% of pregnancies in the US. “It is projected that improving the health of women around pregnancy can result in over $26B worth of savings annually by just addressing lifestyle related disease.” … (Source : EMDT) 58 пЃ† Oxford Scientists Develop Zinc-Based Blood Test for Breast Cancer Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK accounting for 30% of all new cancer diagnoses each year. Globally it is the second most common cancer after lung carcinoma. Treatment for breast cancer is in general extremely effective, although mortality is age dependant 96% of women are expected to live beyond a year following diagnosis, and 87% are expected to survive beyond 5 years. 10 year and 20 year survival rates are also amongst the best within oncology, however the earlier the cancer is detected, the higher the chance of effective treatment and prolonged mortality. It has been well documented for around a decade that breast tumours appear to have high concentrations of zinc within them; however the physiological processes by which this occurs has never been fully understood. By using techniques normally used by metallurgists to analyse trace isotopes involved in climate change, the Oxford based group has been able to analyse the metabolic processes the human body uses to metabolise trace metals. In doing so the group has been able to illustrate changes in the composition of the zinc found within breast cancer tissues and presented the possibility that it could potentially be used as a biomarker to detect sub-clinical presence of breast tumours. The new work has concentrated on investigating the behaviour of cancer cells specifically considering the role of sulphur-containing proteins and their involvement in processing zinc. The research group has then undertaken a research study investigating the difference in zinc content of blood and blood serum in cancer patients and a healthy control group. By using hypersensitive techniques (over 100 times more sensitive than used current clinical techniques) significant and key differences in the way that zinc is processed by cancerous cells were detected. … (Source: EMDT) пЃ† Novel Automated Device Cultures Heart Stem Cells It’s a simple idea: making heart tissue from patients' own cells to repair heart damage caused by acute myocardial infarction. But it took Professor Philippe HГ©non, chairman/CSO and co-founder of 59 CellProthera, and president of the Haematology and Transplant Research Institute in Mulhouse, around ten years to bring it to completion. His start-up based in Mulhouse (Haut-Rhin, France), which pioneers cardiac regeneration therapy, has developed treatment that could provide a real alternative to heart transplants. The technology involves selecting, collecting, purifying and multiplying stem cells from patient blood samples and then directly reinjecting a cell graft into their damaged heart area. Opening up the thorax to carry out heart transplants or bypass operations might no longer be necessary. Consequently, the overall cardiac grafting process has become a straightforward interventional cardiology treatment equivalent to inserting a coronary stent. The technology enables heart tissue necrosed by acute myocardial infarction to regenerate within a few months. Cardiac regeneration therapy is expected to significantly reduce the cost of treating the 1 million congestive heart patients recorded annually throughout the main Western countries. The cell grafts are produced by a patented, automated device enabling mass production of the autologous grafts needed for heart tissue regeneration and myocardial revascularization. This automated device comprises culture medium reservoirs, an incubator with a thermostatic chamber containing the cell culture vessel, and a control system to agitate and support the culture vessel. The cell expansion bag walls have special properties that reduce adhesion by culture cells. This so-called StemXpand device also has a peristaltic pump controlling the supply of culture medium to the cell expansion bag and reservoirs of growth factors and culture cells. “Using a simple patient blood sample, several million CD34+ blood stem cells are isolated and cultured in our automated device and associated production kit,” explains JeanClaude Jelsch, CellProthera's CEO. These cells are multiplied up to twentyfold and then re-injected into patients via an intra-arterial catheter extending as far as the infarction-induced myocardial injury. This regenerates its anatomy and functioning. Nine days are required to produce these stem cells. … (Source : EMDT) 60 Le Cabinet WHITE-TILLET est enregistrГ© pour la formation et agréé pour le CrГ©dit ImpГґt Recherche (lorsque les prestations le justifient) 61 COSMETICS & BIOCIDES Corinne BENOLIEL, Docteur en pharmacie et Directrice scientifique des laboratoires SCIENTIS vous prГ©sente В« SCIENTIFIQUEMENT VOTRE В» : пЃ† La notification des produits cosmГ©tiques La notification Г la Commission europГ©enne concerne la personne responsable et/ou les distributeurs. Elle nГ©cessite, dans certains cas, une interaction entre la personne responsable d’un produit cosmГ©tique et le distributeur de ce produit. -1. Avant la mise sur le marchГ© d’un produit cosmГ©tique, la personne responsable doit transmettre Г la Commission europГ©enne un certain nombre d’informations sur le produit dans le cadre de la notification. La notification Г la Commission europГ©enne s’effectue par voie Г©lectronique sur un В« portail В» dГ©diГ© aux produits cosmГ©tiques commercialisГ©s au sein de l’Union europГ©enne (article. 13). Les autoritГ©s nationales compГ©tentes ainsi que les centres antipoison ont accГЁs Г certaines informations transmises par la personne responsable dans le cadre de cette notification, les formules Г©tant uniquement accessibles aux centres antipoison. Les informations Г fournir sont les suivantes : - la catГ©gorie du produit cosmГ©tique et son ou ses nom(s) commercial(aux) complet(s) - le nom et l’adresse de la personne responsable (physique ou morale) oГ№ le dossier d’information sur le produit (DPI) est tenu Г disposition des autoritГ©s compГ©tentes - le pays d’origine si le produit est importГ© - l’Etat membre dans lequel le produit doit ГЄtre mis sur le marchГ© - les coordonnГ©es d’une personne physique Г contacter en cas de nГ©cessitГ© - en cas de prГ©sence de substances sous forme de nanomatГ©riaux, leur identification et les conditions d’exposition raisonnablement prГ©visibles - le nom et le numГ©ro CAS ou CE des substances CMR de catГ©gorie 1A ou 1B - la formulation cadre Si l’une de ces informations change, la personne responsable fournit sans dГ©lai une mise Г jour. La personne responsable doit en outre communiquer - l’étiquetage original 62 - la photographie de l’emballage si elle est lisible. Les informations transmises aux autoritГ©s compГ©tentes pourront ГЄtre utilisГ©es Г des fins de surveillance et d’analyse du marchГ© ainsi que d’évaluation et d’information des consommateurs. Manuel d’utilisation destinГ© aux utilisateurs du portail europГ©en de notification (CPNP) ConformГ©ment Г l’article 16 du rГЁglement cosmГ©tique, la personne responsable doit notifier les produits cosmГ©tiques contenant des nanomatГ©riaux Г la Commission europГ©enne (CE), six mois avant leur mise sur le marchГ©, sauf s’ils ont dГ©jГ Г©tГ© mis sur le marchГ© par la mГЄme personne responsable avant le 11 janvier 2013 (voir point 24 de ce document). Manuel d’utilisation spГ©cifique pour la notification sur le CPNP des produits cosmГ©tiques contenant des nanomatГ©riaux -2. La notification doit ГЄtre effectuГ©e par les distributeurs lorsqu’ils mettent Г disposition dans un Etat membre un produit cosmГ©tique dГ©jГ mis sur le marchГ© d’un autre Etat membre et qu’ils traduisent de leur propre initiative tout Г©lГ©ment de l’étiquetage afin de se conformer Г la lГ©gislation nationale. Les informations Г fournir sont les suivantes : - la catГ©gorie du produit cosmГ©tique - son nom dans l’Etat membre d’origine et son nom dans l’Etat membre oГ№ il est mis Г disposition - l’Etat membre dans lequel le produit est mis Г disposition - ses nom et adresse - le nom et l’adresse de la personne responsable oГ№ le DIP est tenu Г disposition. Si l’une des informations change, le distributeur fournit sans dГ©lai une mise Г jour. -3. La communication doit ГЄtre effectuГ©e par le distributeur auprГЁs de la personne responsable lorsqu’il introduit dans un Г©tat membre un produit cosmГ©tique aprГЁs le 11 juillet 2013 alors que ce dernier a Г©tГ© mis sur le marchГ© avant cette date mais n’est plus mis sur le marchГ© Г compter de cette date par la personne responsable. Les informations Г fournir Г la personne responsable par le distributeur sont les suivantes : - la catГ©gorie du produit cosmГ©tique - son nom dans l’Etat membre d’origine et son nom dans l’Etat membre oГ№ il est mis Г disposition - l’Etat membre dans lequel le produit est mis Г disposition - ses nom et adresse. Sur la base de ces Г©lГ©ments, la personne responsable devra rГ©actualiser la mise Г jour de sa notification sans dГ©lai. Si l’une des informations change, la personne responsable fournit sans dГ©lai une mise Г jour. www.scientis.fr/ scientis@scientis.fr пЃ† Date de durabilite et PAO L’indication de la date de durabilitГ© minimale (DDM) n’est pas obligatoire pour les produits cosmГ©tiques dont la durabilitГ© minimale excГЁde trente mois. Ces produits portent l’indication de la PAO. L’obligation de dГ©termination d’une PAO dГ©pend tout d’abord de la durabilitГ© minimale du produit: 63 DurabilitГ© minimale : < 30 mois Indication de la DDM Obligatoire > 30 mois Indication de la PAO Facultative Facultative Obligatoire* * Sauf si le concept de PAO n’est pas pertinent, comme dans les cas suivants: - les produits Г usage unique (forme unidose,…) ; - les produits qui ne s’ouvrent pas (formes sans possibilitГ© de contact avec l’environnement extГ©rieur. Ex : aГ©rosols si pas d’entrГ©e d’air, etc.) ; - les produits ne prГ©sentant pas de risque de dГ©gradation (Ex : un parfum). www.scientis.fr/ scientis@scientis.fr пЃ† Rapport nano 2014 Le ministГЁre de l’écologie, du dГ©veloppement durable et de l’énergie a publiГ© un rapport d’étude issu des dГ©clarations effectuГ©es en 2014 relatives aux substances Г l’état nanoparticulaire (toutes catГ©gories confondues). … (Source: ministГЁre de l’écologie, du dГ©veloppement durable et de l’énergie) пЃ† Opinion SCCS ELA Le SCCS a Г©tГ© sollicitГ© derniГЁrement pour complГ©ter son opinion avant fin DГ©cembre 2014 sur l’Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCl (ELA) , substance rГ©glementГ©es aux annexes V et III du RГЁglement CosmГ©tique CE 1223/2009 . Il devra Г©galement indiquer toutes autres prГ©occupations scientifiques liГ©es Г l'utilisation de cette substance dans les produits cosmГ©tiques http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_q_107.pdf http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_miwg_205.pdf пЃ† Identification des phtalates NF EN 16521 Juillet 2014 CosmГ©tiques - MГ©thodes analytiques - MГ©thode GC-MS pour l'identification et l'analyse de 12 phtalates dans des Г©chantillons de produits cosmГ©tiques prГЄts Г ГЄtre injectГ© dans un systГЁme analytique. … (Source: AFNOR) Depuis 2008, SCIENTIS est reconnu comme organisme ayant la capacitГ© d’exГ©cuter des travaux de recherche et dГ©veloppement pour le compte d’entreprises. 64 Nos donneurs d’ordre peuvent donc dГ©clarer les montants des opГ©rations de R&D Г©ligibles au crГ©dit d’impГґt recherche (CIR) conformГ©ment aux articles 244 quater B du code gГ©nГ©ral des impГґts, 49 septies F et 49 septies M de son annexe III. N’hГ©sitez pas Г nous contacter Г l’adresse scientis@scientis.fr : les experts formulateurs et rГ©glementaires de SCIENTIS sont Г votre Г©coute pour vous accompagner dans tous vos projets de recherche innovants (produits cosmГ©tiques, dГ©tergents, dГ©sinfectants, biocides) : пѓ� Optimisation de formules existantes пѓ� CrГ©ation de nouvelles formules пѓ� PrГ©expertises Toxicologiques de vos formules CosmГ©tiques - DГ©tergents – DГ©sinfectants - Probiotiques Laboratoire de recherche appliquГ©e et d’expertise scientifique FORMATIONS SCIENTIS 2014 COSMETIQUES Microbiologie п‚· M1C La microbiologie des produits cosmГ©tiques п‚· M2C La gestion d’un laboratoire de microbiologie : microorganismes et cultures selon la norme EN 12353 (formation pratique) п‚· M3C Comment analyser le risque de contamination d’un produit cosmГ©tique : ISO 29621? п‚· M4C Comment rГ©aliser un challenge test selon la norme ISO 11930 sur un produit cosmГ©tique? (formation pratique) п‚· M5C Comment rГ©aliser les contrГґles de propretГ© des produits cosmГ©tiques selon les normes ISO en vigueur ? (formation pratique) RГЁglementation п‚· R1C La rГЁglementation des produits cosmГ©tiques п‚· R2C Le Dossier d’Information Produit cosmГ©tique (DIP) п‚· R3C L’évaluation de la sГ©curitГ© des produits cosmГ©tiques п‚· R4C La notification des produits cosmГ©tiques Formulation п‚· F1C Les bonnes pratiques de Fabrication des produits cosmГ©tiques : ISO 22716 п‚· F2C La formulation des produits cosmГ©tiques (formation pratique) BIOCIDES Microbiologie п‚· M1B La microbiologie des produits biocides dГ©sinfectants et dГ©tergents dГ©sinfectants п‚· M2B La gestion d’un laboratoire de microbiologie : microorganismes et cultures selon la norme EN 12353 (formation pratique) п‚· M3B Les normes europГ©ennes d’efficacitГ© antimicrobienne des antiseptiques et dГ©sinfectants 65 п‚· M4B Comment rГ©aliser une norme d’efficacitГ© antimicrobienne sur un antiseptique, un dГ©sinfectant ou un dГ©tergent dГ©sinfectant? (formation pratique) RГЁglementation п‚· R1B La rГЁglementation des produits biocides п‚· R2B La prГ©-expertise toxicologique des produits biocides Г destination cutanГ©e п‚· R3B Les exigences rГ©glementaires des produits biocides en pГ©riode transitoire п‚· R4B Comment crГ©er une fiche de donnГ©es de sГ©curitГ© ? (formation thГ©orique et pratique sur logiciel) Formulation п‚· F1B Le bionettoyage en milieu industriel п‚· F2B La formulation des produits biocides Г destination cutanГ©e, dГ©sinfectants et dГ©tergents dГ©sinfectants (formation pratique) DISPOSITIFS MEDICAUX Microbiologie п‚· M1DM La microbiologie des dispositifs mГ©dicaux dГ©sinfectants et dГ©tergents dГ©sinfectants п‚· M2DM Les normes europГ©ennes d’efficacitГ© antimicrobienne des antiseptiques et dГ©sinfectants п‚· M3DM Comment rГ©aliser une norme d’efficacitГ© antimicrobienne sur un antiseptique, un dГ©sinfectant ou un dГ©tergent dГ©sinfectant) ? (formation pratique) RГЁglementation п‚· R1DM La rГЁglementation des dispositifs mГ©dicaux п‚· R2DM Comment crГ©er une fiche de donnГ©es de sГ©curitГ© ? (formation pratique sur logiciel) Formulation п‚· F1DM La formulation des dispositifs mГ©dicaux dГ©sinfectants et dГ©tergents dГ©sinfectants (formation pratique) DETERGENTS RГЁglementation п‚· R1D La rГЁglementation des dГ©tergents п‚· R2D Les rГ©glementations transversales (REACH, CLP) п‚· R3D Comment crГ©er une fiche de donnГ©es de sГ©curitГ© ? (formation pratique sur logiciel) п‚· R4D Les labels Г©cologiques Formulation п‚· F1D Le bionettoyage en milieu industriel PROBIOTIQUES ET COMPLEMENTS ALIMENTAIRES п‚· CA1 Les gГ©nГ©ralitГ©s, la rГ©glementation, le marchГ©, la formulation Formations intra et interentreprises/Web confГ©rences. Les formations pratiques intГЁgrent une partie thГ©orique. Descriptifs et tarifs communiquГ©s sur demande en nous Г©crivant Г l’adresse scientis@scientis.fr ou par tГ©lГ©phone au +33 (0)1 41 50 59 89 (rГ©fГ©rence de la formation Г indiquer). Programmes ciblГ©s sur demande. Organisme de formation enregistrГ© sous le nВ°11 93 06199 93 Parc Biocitech-102 av Gaston Roussel 93230 Romainville www.scientis.fr scientis@scientis.fr / 01.41.50.59.89 66 SCIENTIS NOTRE PARTENAIRE POUR LES PRODUITS COSMETIQUES & BIOCIDES 67 68 CosmГ©tiques - DГ©tergents - DГ©sinfectants Laboratoire de recherche appliquГ©e et d’expertise scientifique VOUS VENDEZ DES PRODUITS DETERGENTS, DESINFECTANTS, COSMETIQUES ? POUR LE MILIEU PROFESSIONNEL OU POUR LE GRAND PUBLIC ? VOS ETIQUETTES & FICHES DE DONNES DE SECURITE SONT-ELLES CONFORMES? Outil indispensable de communication entre le fabricant et l’utilisateur de produits chimiques. Elle informe sur les risques humains et environnementaux liГ©s Г l'utilisation de substances (matiГЁres premiГЁres) et de mГ©langes (produits finis). La fiche de donnГ©es de sГ©curitГ© (FDS) une mine d’informations ! Elle fournit aussi les informations concernant le stockage, la manipulation et l’élimination du produit. Elle permet ainsi de connaГ®tre les mesures nГ©cessaires Г prendre en matiГЁre de gestion de risques. REACH RГЁglement nВ°1907/2006 Enregistrement, Evaluation et Autorisation des produits chimiques. FDS RГЁglement nВ°453/2010 Exigences concernant l'Г©tablissement de la fiche de donnГ©es de sГ©curitГ©. CLP RГЁglement nВ°1272/2008 Classification, Etiquetage et Emballage des substances et mГ©langes. A NOUVEL ETIQUETAGE... .nouvelles classes de danger : Nature des dangers physiques, pour la santГ© et pour l’environnement. .nouveaux pictogrammes : Losanges blancs sur fond blanc .nouvelles mentions : danger (H), mise en garde (P), avertissement (EUH) CALENDRIER DES MISES A JOUR: ГЉtes-vous prГЄt ? 1er dГ©c 2012 1er Juin 2017 1er juin 2015 C L P Double Г©tiquetage DPD/CLP autorisГ© sur les FDS des Passage au CLP obligatoire mГ©langes R E A C H La FDS doit ГЄtre en conformitГ© avec le Format 2010-I la FDS doit ГЄtre en (Pour les produits mis sur le marchГ© avant conformitГ© avec le le 01/12/2010, passage au nouveau Format Format 2010-II au 1er/12/2012) Parc Biocitech-102 av Gaston Roussel 93230 Romainville www.scientis.fr scientis@scientis.fr / 01.41.50.59.89 69 CosmГ©tiques - DГ©tergents - DГ©sinfectants Laboratoire de recherche appliquГ©e et d’expertise scientifique Le RГЁglement cosmГ©tique europГ©en (1223/2009 du 30/11/2009) a Г©tГ© publiГ© le 22 dГ©cembre 2009. Il est entrГ© en vigueur le 11 janvier 2010 et est en application depuis le 11 juillet 2013. Description du produit cosmГ©tique Rapport sur la sГ©curitГ© Partie A: informations sur le produit Partie B: Г©valuation de la sГ©curitГ© Dossier d’information Produit MГ©thode de fabrication selon les BPF Preuves de l’effet revendiquГ© Dossier cosmГ©tique DonnГ©es relatives aux expГ©rimentations animales RГЁglement nВ°1223/2009 Notification Portail CPNP Personne responsable de la mise sur le marchГ© Calcul d’exposition et marge de sГ©curitГ© Г‰valuation de la sГ©curitГ© Microbiologie Profil toxicologique des substances ImpuretГ©s (substances et emballage) CompatibilitГ© contenu / contenant CosmГ©tovigilance europГ©enne StabilitГ© L’effet rГ©troactif prГ©vu dans le RГЁglement implique que tous les dossiers cosmГ©tiques des produits dГ©jГ sur le marchГ© doivent ГЄtre mis Г jour. Organisme de formation enregistrГ© /agrГ©ment du MinistГЁre au CrГ©dit ImpГґt Recherche Parc Biocitech-102 av Gaston Roussel 93230 Romainville www.scientis.fr scientis@scientis.fr / 01.41.50.59.89 70 Experience & Expertise Associate Consultants & Experts Tel : + 33 1 600 843 85 E-mail : white-tillet@white-tillet.com Website: www.white-tillet.com Pour abonner vos ami(e)s Г©crire Г : white-tillet@white-tillet.com Pour vous dГ©sabonner Г©crire Г : contact-wt@wanadoo.fr 71