As of March 29th, 2019, FDA has issued two draft guidances relevant to inspections of domestic and foreign medical device establishments.
The first, issued by FDA’s CDRH in February, identifies a new standard mechanism for device establishments to request nonbinding feedback on actions proposed to address FDA Form 483 observations.
The second, issued by FDA in March, seeks to implement uniform processes and standards for FDA inspections of domestic and foreign device establishments.
Below, we’ve summarized the key takeaways from both of these draft guidances along with general advice for contextualizing and considering action.
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Draft Guidance #1: Nonbinding Feedback After Certain FDA Inspections of Device Establishments
In February of 2019, FDA’s CDRH issued a draft guidance standardizing a mechanism for medical device firms to request nonbinding feedback on actions such establishments propose to take to address an FDA Form 483.
The draft lays out a method comprised of five parts relating to timely request submission, statutory eligibility criteria, a firm’s justification for submitting a request, proposed actions and the nonbinding feedback.
We’ve summarized the key points below.
1. Submitting a request for nonbinding feedback in a timely manner
CDRH proposed timeliness to be interpreted as “no later than 15 business days after issuance” of an FDA Form 483.
“A request for nonbinding feedback must also be made in a ‘timely manner. To be considered timely, requests for nonbinding feedback should be submitted no later than 15 business days after issuance of a Form FDA 483. If a firm is also submitting a response to a Form FDA 483, FDA recommends that the response and request for nonbinding feedback be included in the same submission but as two distinct documents.”
2. Statutory eligibility criteria for nonbinding feedback
The agency also presents specific criteria that a request for nonbinding feedback must abide by for consideration.
“A request for nonbinding feedback under Section 704(h)(2) must describe how one or more observations ‘involve a public health priority,’ ‘implicate systemic or major actions,’ or ‘relate to emerging safety issues (as determined by [FDA]).’”
3. Justifying a request for nonbinding feedback
In the proposed method, device firms must provide a justification for believing that at least one of the eligibility criteria is met.
“The request for nonbinding feedback should contain a justification why the requestor believes at least one of the eligibility criteria described in Section IV is met. This justification may relate to an individual inspectional observation for which the nonbinding feedback is being requested, more than one observation, or all of the observations. Requestors should explain in detail how each individual observation meets one or more of the eligibility criteria within the justification. Under the statute, FDA is required to provide nonbinding feedback on those observations whose justifications in the request for nonbinding feedback meet at least one of the statutory eligibility criteria. If none of the eligibility criteria are met, the statute does not require FDA to provide nonbinding feedback regarding proposed actions related to the observation.”
4. Proposed responsive actions
A request for nonbinding feedback should include both the relevant inspectional observation(s), and proposed actions for each.
“The request for nonbinding feedback should clearly state the inspectional observation(s) for which nonbinding feedback is being requested, followed by the proposed actions in response to the observation(s). The proposed actions should include a detailed description and timeline of the activities the firm plans to take to completely and adequately correct the conditions described in the observations and prevent recurrence. For FDA to properly evaluate the adequacy of any proposed actions to address the observations, the submission should also include supporting documentation, as appropriate.”
5. Notification and nonbinding feedback from FDA
The proposed method calls for a deadline on agency staff to respond to a request for nonbinding feedback within 45 calendar days. In general, CDRH nonbinding feedback would identify whether the actions proposed by the requester, “if appropriately implemented, appear adequate, partially adequate or inadequate.”
"In response to a request deemed partially adequate or inadequate, FDA also intends to provide an acknowledgement of the receipt, an explanation of why the proposed actions or elements of such actions were deemed inadequate and a recommendation to improve upon the proposed actions.
Upon receiving a timely request for nonbinding feedback and verifying that the request has been made by the owner, operator, or agent in charge of the device establishment or a designated representative of such person(s), FDA determines whether one or more of the statutory eligibility criteria (see Section IV) have been met. To do so, FDA considers the justification provided in the request. If none of the eligibility criteria are met, FDA notifies the requestor within 45 calendar days that the request is not eligible to receive nonbinding feedback. Otherwise, the statute requires FDA to provide nonbinding feedback about the proposed actions for addressing inspectional observations within 45 calendar days of the Agency’s receipt of the request.
FDA’s nonbinding feedback should identify whether the proposed actions to address inspectional observations, if appropriately implemented, appear adequate, partially adequate, or inadequate. If FDA determines the proposed actions appear partially adequate or inadequate, FDA intends to:
1. Acknowledge the submitted proposed actions submitted, including references (where appropriate) to sections, page numbers, or tables;
2. Explain why the proposed actions (or elements of the proposed actions) do not appear adequate; and
3. Provide a recommendation on what may be needed for FDA to consider the proposed actions (or elements of the proposed actions) adequate.
If FDA determines that the proposed actions (or elements of the proposed actions) appear adequate based on the information provided, FDA intends to notify the requestor.”
Read Also: 10 Key Elements of an FDA 483 Response
Draft Guidance #2: Review and Update of Device Establishment Inspection Processes and Standards: Draft Guidance for Industry
In its March draft guidance, FDA floated updates to the processes and standards for achieving uniformity in surveillance and/or pre-approval inspections, as well as for establishing a standard timeframe for these inspections at medical device sites.
FDA specifically states that these steps toward uniformity “may inform firms’ preparation for the inspection and set baseline communication and timing expectations for each party,” indicating that current plans for internal preparation timelines and communication with the agency should likely be reviewed and updated as-needed.
This draft guidance satisfies a requirement of the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 (FDARA) to provide standardized communication methods throughout the inspection process.
1. Communication expectations during FDA device inspections
In regards to the “regular verbal communications during the inspection between the FDA investigator and the owner, operator, or agent in charge of the establishment about the status of the inspection,” the guidance present the following method:
“When time and circumstances permit, investigators should make every reasonable effort to discuss all observations with the management of the establishment as they are observed, or on a daily basis, to minimize errors and misunderstandings. These communications may be recorded by either FDA or the firm, if there is advance notice and mutual consent by the other party.”
2. Specific practices and expectations for pre-announcement notices and other communications
In addition, the draft guidance also presents specific practices for both FDA investigators and device firms to follow for facilitating the continuity of inspections.
Pre-announcement inspection notice by phone
“Under the uniform processes and standards, an FDA investigator notifies the owner, operator, or agent in charge of a medical device establishment by telephone before their facility undergoes an FDA surveillance and/or pre-approval inspection."
Pre-announcement inspection notice timeframes
“Under the statute, this notice will be provided within a reasonable time before the inspection is scheduled to occur. For domestic inspections, the pre-announcement should generally be no less than five calendar days in advance of the inspection. The pre-announcement for foreign inspections may be more than five days due to requirements of particular country clearances.”
Contents of pre-announcement inspection notification
"For both domestic and foreign inspections, the notification should include information about the type and nature of the inspection, such as whether the inspection is scheduled as abbreviated, comprehensive, or pre-approval. Updated processes specify that during pre-announcement, investigators may communicate with the firm regarding the appropriate working hours during which the inspection is likely to take place. To the extent possible, FDA should also provide advance notice of some records that may be requested during the inspection.”
3. Length of FDA medical device inspections
As stated in the draft guidance, FDA’s medical device inspections can range from three to six continuous business days, although other factors (such as the type of deficiencies observed) can impact inspection duration and extensions may be needed under certain situations.
“FDA standards for reasonable estimated timeframes of inspections generally range from 3 to 6 continuous business days. These standards are based on the type of surveillance inspection (abbreviated or comprehensive) and the extent of coverage needed for a pre-approval inspection. The estimated duration for each inspection should be shared with the firm at the time of pre-announcement. Inspection duration is impacted by factors such as the complexities of the firm’s operations, availability of knowledgeable staff, and the nature of observed deficiencies.”
Read Also: 5 Items to Stock in Your FDA Inspection War Room
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
These draft guidances come at a time when FDA's CDRH continues to significantly increase the annual number of domestic and international medical device manufacturing site inspections.
According to the center's reports in November of 2018, the annual number of foreign medical device inspections conducted by FDA officials saw a 243% increase between 2007 and 2017. Domestic inspections increased by 46%.
The agency has also stated that it has taken a “more aggressive approach” to issuing device warning letters.
In light of these recent draft guidances, device firms should consider reviewing internal plans and processes and any changes necessary to ensure they're prepared for FDA inspections and prepared to follow-up effectively and efficiently.
Download our free white paper below for a comprehensive guide to FDA Warning Letters and FDA Form 483 to ensure you can respond in the event of inspectional observations quickly and completely.
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