FDA allows for infusion pump modifications to prevent shortages

In a bid to "reduce supply chain interruptions and manufacturing bottlenecks" during the pandemic, the agency will permit some changes to the pumps and accessories without the added step of a new 510(k) submission.

By Susan Kelly • April 6, 2020

Commercial labs push for piece of $100B coronavirus relief

The trade group representing LabCorp and Quest wants HHS to allocate CARES Act money for expenses or lost revenue related to COVID-19. But there's strong competition from healthcare providers also hurting financially.

By Greg Slabodkin • April 6, 2020

FDA authorizes Cellex coronavirus antibodies test

It's the first test of its kind to obtain FDA emergency use authorization, although other companies are working to roll out serological tests for the virus.

By Maria Rachal • April 3, 2020

Industry cheers COVID-19 executive order to boost ventilator supply chain

While AdvaMed has pushed back on using the Defense Production Act, the move is meant to help domestic manufacturers by removing hurdles to accessing parts and materials needed to ramp up production of ventilators.

By Greg Slabodkin • April 3, 2020

Medtechs navigate new normal as FDA shifts priorities to coronavirus

Companies are working to get diagnostics, respiratory devices and PPE to market amid rapidly evolving guidance from FDA. The agency's coronavirus-era operations may also impact work for device makers in other parts of the sector.

By Maria Rachal • April 3, 2020

BD rolls out test to detect coronavirus antibodies

Some experts point to serology tests, which may help identify people who have immunity, as a key tool in U.S. management of COVID-19 going forward. The BD test has already seen significant use in China.

By Susan Kelly • April 1, 2020

Remote patient monitoring, ventilator payment among CMS flexibility as COVID-19 rages on

As many patients have required ventilators, Medicare will now cover respiratory devices and equipment for any medical reason a doctor determines instead of only under specific conditions. 

By Shannon Muchmore • March 31, 2020

Joint Commission backs clinicians' right to bring own PPE to work amid shortages

After nurses filed more than 125 complaints with OSHA, the accrediting body for many hospitals issued a statement supporting staff that bring their own personal protective equipment in light of insufficient supply.

By Hailey Mensik • March 31, 2020

AdvaMed wary of Trump's use of DPA to boost ventilator production

The medtech industry contends the Defense Production Act could strain the supply chain, but the administration says it's "working to sign contracts immediately" with GE, Medtronic, ResMed and other major manufacturers.

By Greg Slabodkin • March 30, 2020

Abbott touts speed, scale of POC coronavirus test

The point-of-care diagnostic may detect the pathogen in as little as five minutes, processed on the same machines already in doctors' offices and clinics. Former FDA chief Scott Gottlieb called it a "game changer."

By Maria Rachal • March 30, 2020

Digital health advice from FDA amid coronavirus leaves more questions than answers

While the agency doesn't consider most apps and software systems for COVID-19 public health surveillance and communication to be regulated medical devices, the scope of regulation remains murky.

By Greg Slabodkin • March 27, 2020

FDA outlines role for 3D printing in coronavirus response, with some caution

Additive manufacturing has emerged as a tool to help bolster availability of critical devices like ventilators and testing supplies, but the agency said 3D-printed personal protective equipment may not be as effective.

By Nick Paul Taylor • March 27, 2020

Small PAMA victory in aid package, but labs remain in 'untenable situation'

Quest, LabCorp and others scaling up U.S. coronavirus testing will see a delay in Medicare payment reductions as part of the CARES Act signed into law Friday, but industry argues labs have been shortchanged on emergency funds.

By Maria Rachal • Updated March 27, 2020

FDA OKs anesthesia gas machines as ventilators amid coronavirus shortage fears

GE Healthcare, which has more than 100,000 of its anesthesia devices worldwide, noted differences but acknowledged the "need to weigh the relative risks and benefits to support patients in these unprecedented times."

By Greg Slabodkin • March 26, 2020

UnitedHealth says self-swabbing study spurred FDA coronavirus policy change

The agency now allows onsite, self-collection of samples, after a nearly 500-patient study found self-administered tests about as accurate as those carried out by clinicians.

By Nick Paul Taylor • March 26, 2020

Medtech industry asks for FEMA's help allocating ventilators to frontlines

AdvaMed said a lead federal agency should be designated to manage distribution of the breathing machines as manufacturers rapidly scale up production in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

By Susan Kelly • March 25, 2020

How health systems are responding as COVID-19 squeezes the medical supply chain

Procurement of supplies will become more difficult if cases surge and federal stockpiles don't trickle down to the state level quickly enough.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • March 25, 2020

EU regulators propose 1-year MDR delay

The European Commission formally proposed Friday the Medical Device Regulation start date be moved to May 26, 2021. It needs the quick backing of the European Parliament and Council.

By Maria Rachal • Updated April 3, 2020

5 facts about the nation's stockpile of emergency medical supplies

As healthcare workers across the country scramble for personal protective equipment and other supplies, states are sending in their requests to the Strategic National Stockpile.

By Hailey Mensik • March 24, 2020

Tracking the impact of coronavirus on the medtech industry

Among the latest: As COVID-19 test sales boom, Hologic thinks its revenues this quarter may be 60% higher than last year's.

By Nami Sumida • Updated Sept. 11, 2020

Clinical labs, White House tell different stories on testing backlog

The American Clinical Laboratory Association said without sufficient funds from the federal government, commercial labs might be forced to "retrench rather than keep building the capacity that is needed."

By Greg Slabodkin • March 24, 2020

CDRH pushes out response due date extensions, teleconference policy by at least a month

Less than two weeks after FDA wrote to industry extending deadlines for premarket application responses and warning of disruptions to in-person meetings, the agency lengthened those coronavirus-era changes.

By Maria Rachal • Updated April 6, 2020

MedTech Europe calls for delay of MDR until coronavirus crisis passes

The trade group argued industry is “working relentlessly” on getting devices to healthcare professionals fighting COVID-19, while simultaneously trying to maintain supply of other products, leaving little bandwidth to focus on new regs.

By Nick Paul Taylor • March 24, 2020

Cepheid wins 1st FDA nod for point-of-care coronavirus test

The Sunnyvale, California-based molecular diagnostics company said there are currently close to 5,000 of its systems in the U.S. that can run its 45-minute test in hospitals.

By Greg Slabodkin • March 23, 2020

FDA eases rules on ventilator makers as Medtronic and Tesla talk

Hardware and software modifications can occur without submission of a 510(k) as traditional medtechs team with other manufacturers to meet coronavirus-driven demand for the devices.

By Nick Paul Taylor • March 23, 2020