As is the case with many national governments, the U.S. federal government does not routinely measure its activities in the calendar year, but we at BioWorld don’t share that outlook. CY 2020 was odd in more ways than one from a regulatory standpoint, and thus we offer our version of a regulatory top 10 for a year that might not look much better in the rear-view mirror than it has looked as a current event.
After nearly three months of the U.S. federal government operating on stopgap spending measures, Congress has agreed to a $1.4 trillion spending bill for fiscal 2021. The omnibus package, which includes $97 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, gives both the FDA and NIH small increases in funding.
The latest global regulatory news, changes and updates affecting medical devices and technologies, including: EPA posts ethylene oxide rule on OMB agenda; HHS announces sustained support for testing; FTC gives nod to Stryker/Wright deal.
Several hospital and pharmacy groups, including the American Hospital Association, filed suit last week in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in an effort to force the Department of Health and Human Services to stop drug companies from “undermining” the 340B prescription drug discount program.
The latest global regulatory news, changes and updates affecting medical devices and technologies, including: USTR seeking input on nations with poor IP protections; NICE sticks with ABI to evaluate PAD; Health Canada to extend COVID-19 flexibilities.
Michael Mina, assistant professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, again criticized the U.S. FDA for taking a conventional regulatory approach to rapid antigen tests for the pandemic. However, not everyone at the FDA’s parent department deserves brickbats. Mina said Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir deserves a lot of credit for assisting in the effort to stand up pilot studies for rapid antigen tests that could be used to restore the U.S. economy even in the absence of a fully rolled-out vaccination campaign.
It’s official. After a weekend of rumors and speculation, President-elect Joe Biden formally announced the nomination of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra Dec. 7 as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with Vivek Murthy as surgeon general.
The latest global regulatory news, changes and updates affecting medical devices and technologies, including: FMCSA declines to allow ICD patients a commercial license; Pandemic not the time for trade restrictions.
The latest global regulatory news, changes and updates affecting medical devices and technologies, including: FDA lists entities recognized under ASCA program.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PhRMA) filed suit Nov. 23 in U.S. district court challenging the Trump administration’s final rule allowing the import of prescription drugs from Canada.