Following on from our review of the European regulation surrounding the rapid growing mHealth market and specifically the development of complementary Smartphone Apps, such as Abingdon Health’s AppDx® Smartphone lateral flow reader, in part two of our blog we take a closer look at the regulations within the U.S. market, the largest diagnostic market globally.
As with the European market, the regulation is complex and needs to be considered from the outset of the development project. So let’s look at some of the key areas to consider with a specific focus on our market, lateral flow testing, and the integration of smartphone apps into diagnostic solutions.
The International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF) defines Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) as “software intended to be used for one or more medical purposes that perform these purposes without being part of a hardware medical device.” Which explains why lateral flow rapid tests that use complementary readers fall under this category.
The use of SaMD is continuing to increase, with this area projected to grow at a CAGR of 85.41% by 2025 (knowledge-sourcing.com). So, whether you’re offering SaMD yourself as part of a new product, or looking to use an “off-the-shelf” platform, you must be aware of the regulations, the quality systems and standards, and ensure that you or your chosen SaMD provider are meeting regulatory expectations continuously.
When introducing a new SaMD product in the US market, you must apply for clearance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The governing documents you need to ensure compliance with are:
In addition to the GMP requirements in the CFR 21 Part 820, manufacturers of medical devices and SaMD providers are expected to develop and implement a Quality System and obtain certification.
There are several internationally recognised mechanisms that can help with this.
To go above and beyond:
To have your device cleared and commercialised, you need to have FDA clearance. However, this simply covers the bare minimum you need to achieve to introduce a new product into the market.
With so many companies having fallen victim to their own negligence, it would be foolish to ignore things like:
We would recommend having a mechanism for recalling products and informing the right parties in a timely manner – for example, having draft documents ready to be completed, signed and released – perhaps as part of ISO14971 de-risked process.
Also, cyber security is becoming of equal importance to SaMD product functionality. Therefore, the FDA is introducing a new standard: Content of Premarket Submissions for Management of Cyber Security in Medical Devices. The aim is to negate security breaches with the ‘increasing use of wireless, Internet- and network- connected devices, portable media (e.g. USB or CD), and the frequent electronic exchange of medical device-related health information.’
We considered the EU’s data protection law, GDPR, in part one of this blog series and whilst there is no direct equivalent in the United States important consideration should be given to both federal laws, such as HIPAA Privacy Rule which establishes national standards to protect individuals’ medical records and other personal health information, and also state laws. For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act implemented in January 2020, which gives consumers control over the personal information companies collect, store and often share with other enterprises.
In summary, the regulatory landscape is complex and evolving. It’s critical to integrate your regulatory plan into your overall project plan. Technical decisions made during the development process need to consider regulatory implications. At Abingdon Health, we understand the importance of this and our in-house regulatory team can work with you to ensure you keep one step ahead. MHealth is a fantastic opportunity to accelerate the adoption of rapid tests, but it adds a layer of complexity. Be prepared!
View mHealth Software Regulation: part I here
Credit: content contribution from Bond Digital Health Ltd.