The case for quality in medical device

Washington, D.C. - Across FDA, we are devoting tremendous effort, in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders, toward activities that drive–and increase–product and manufacturing quality. We believe quality can be quantified through close attention to data and consistent review and analysis of that data, which in turn can promote the practice and culture of quality within firms.

The metrics and assessment tools being developed are key parts of the Case for Quality (CfQ). We are working with a wide variety of stakeholders–including the medical device industry, patients, other governmental and academic colleagues, and payer/provider counterparts–to identify and promote practices that will result in higher quality devices.

The CfQ was launched in October 2011 following an in-depth review of device quality data and feedback from both FDA and industry stakeholders. FDA’s analysis flagged manufacturing quality risks and showed tremendous benefits for firms that drive quality organization-wide. They receive fewer complaints and internal investigations per batch of devices manufactured, often house smaller quality staffs, and have lower quality-related costs, compared with competitors.

Click here to read the full blog by Howard Sklamberg, J.D., Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D., and Melinda K. Plaisier, M.S.W.