In the only device-related warning letter released by the US FDA this week, a manufacturer of surgical trays and kits was cited for quality systems violations.

The US FDA released one device-related close-out letter in November.

Device makers that build bridges with US FDA investigators will have an easier go of things during facility inspections, says Ricki Chase, a former FDA investigations branch director. By doing this, firms can extend that trust to the agency as a whole. Check out our full Q&A with Chase here.

Medtronic has announced a safety issue in its popular MiniMed 600 series of insulin pumps. The devices may under- or over-deliver insulin if a ring component of the device cracks or breaks, potentially causing serious health issues. The company says the issue doesn’t amount to a recall, however.

First it was April 2019, then September 2019 – but both of those deadlines were missed. Now, the US agency has set a target date of April 2020 to release a draft regulation that will harmonize its Quality System Regulation (QSR) with international standard ISO 13485.

When the US agency comes to inspect a manufacturer’s facility, one of the more important activities that occur is a close-out meeting. Consultant and former FDA investigations branch director Ricki Chase explains why these meetings, held daily or at the end of an audit – or both – can help make or break an inspection.

A manufacturer of in vitro diagnostic reagents was cited for premarket violations in the only device-related warning letter released by the US FDA this week.

Medical device manufacturers often stumble when conducting process validation activities. In this Q&A, former US FDA investigations branch director Ricki Chase explains what those hurdles are and offers tips to firms to make sure they’re on the road to compliance.

Let’s be blunt: Device-makers aren’t particularly fond of facility inspections by the US FDA. From audits that can sometimes drag on for weeks to nightmarish inspections well-documented by industry experts, there’s no shortage of tales of investigators that were difficult to handle. But the agency’s ongoing rewrite of its Quality System Regulation to harmonize it with international standard ISO 13485 could “soften FDA’s inspectorate,” NSF International’s Brian Ludovico says. Also: How might the FDA’s Quality System Inspection Technique (QSIT) change, post-harmonization?