Medical Device and Pharmaceutical Product Development and Compliance

September 2019 saw the release of several final guidance documents relating to 510(k) submissions. One of the most utilized pathways by medical device manufacturers, the 510(k) has evolved quite a bit over time. The release of all these new documents speaks to FDA’s commitment to keeping this method of premarket submission up-to-date and aligned with agency directives. Taking a brief, high-level overview of each of these final guidance documents is extremely important for organizations looking to stay ahead of the ever-changing regulatory landscape.

In September 2019, FDA released final guidance on its Special 510(k) Program. This optional pathway allows medical device manufacturers a simplified approach to submitting changes to their legally marketed products, provided they are currently well-understood by the agency. However, figuring out whether or not your submission qualifies under the Special 510(k) is tricky. Diving into the final guidance, there are hallmarks you can use to understand your device’s qualification under this program.