Draft Guidance on Medical Device Transition Period
In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the FDA took unprecedented action in transforming its enforcement because of the declaration of a Public Health Emergency while also issuing, and continuing, Emergency Use Authorizations. These governmental actions facilitated and increased the importation of necessary medical devices needed to combat the pandemic here in the United States. And now as the U.S. relaxes its pandemic protocol, the FDA is exploring the best way to have medical devices transition back to pre-pandemic regulations and protocol. On December 23, 2021, the FDA issued two draft guidance documents in the Federal Register detailing its proposed medical device transition plans for all medical devices previously imported under the two aforementioned government declarations. And to provide further assistance, the FDA hosted a webinar “Draft Guidances on Transition Plans for COVID-19 Related Medical Devices” providing further explanations to the trade community on what can be expected from the proposed transition plans.
