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Manufacturers Falling Down On Quality Data Collection And Analysis, FDA Warns

This article was originally published in The Silver Sheet

Executive Summary

Capturing and analyzing product quality data appears to be a hiccup for many firms, but the problem can be addressed through the use of proper tools and effective monitoring of quality data sources, FDA officials explain. When quality data is added to a manufacturer’s CAPA system and properly analyzed, device problems may be discovered more quickly. Further, firms that inadequately define data sources in their procedures and mishandle information coming out of those sources will attract the notice of FDA investigators. “I would urge you to sit down with the investigator and show them your quality data elements and where the data is coming from, as well as how that information is analyzed,” said Phil Pontikos, FDA’s national expert on medical devices. “If you share those processes upfront, I think it will help expedite the inspection.”

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There are plenty of typical mistakes that FDA investigators find when inspecting device firms, from failing to adequately document complaints and ensuring proper process validation, to developing ambiguous design inputs during design control activities. Yet what really grates investigators’ nerves is when they have to ask manufacturers several times for procedures and processes that are routinely asked for during an inspection. “Let’s get beyond the things that you know are going to be needed and have them readily available,” says Phil Pontikos, an agency investigator and FDA’s national device expert. In fact, firms that attempt to conceal information or stall an investigator leave themselves open to additional scrutiny by the agency. “If you want to play games, then quite frankly, we’re going to dig deep,” Pontikos says.

Conduct CAPA Activities Appropriately, FDA Warns Manufacturers

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Speaking Of Medtech, Ep. 10: FDA’s TAP Pilot

In this FINAL EPISODE of Speaking Of Medtech: The US FDA got something it desperately wanted in its latest user-fee package with industry: a Total Product Lifecycle Advisory Program pilot, or TAP. The agency says TAP will allow for earlier and more frequent engagement with developers – but is it needed?

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