By
Medical Care Review | Monday,
May 08,
2023
Various unknowns plague the sector, affecting efficiency, quality, and, as a result, money.
Fremont, CA: The worldwide medical device business is expanding fast, and expectations are it will continue to do so in the future. Device makers have hurdles in keeping up with the potential to satisfy patient demands through innovation and new technology. In today's competitive MedTech industry, a strategic focus on product quality while meeting market demands is necessary. Furthermore, the sector gets confronted with obstacles that cause producers to slow progress. Failure to focus on them might result in patient safety problems, recalls, and corrective field measures. Such barriers include product development and integrating suppliers into the development process, in addition to changing regulatory requirements. A callous attitude to process development to maintain a consistent product production process and manage supplier quality might have long-term consequences for a business.
The medical device manufacturing sector is responsible for producing enough products to serve a big patient population. Manufacturing medical devices necessitate dynamic processes and control; nevertheless, the industry faces several unknowns that influence efficiency, quality, and profitability. Let's take a look at some of the industry's current difficulties and how to solve them.
● Complex Regulatory Requirements
To market its product, any medical device producer must adhere to government laws or standards. On the other hand, particular manufacturers may find it challenging to keep up with regulatory changes and comprehend the complexities of some standards. The EU Medical Device Regulations were one of the most recent significant developments in Europe (EU MDR).
A producer must comply with the legislation of the nation in which it intends to sell its product. Although specific rules may overlap worldwide, each country must submit its application for approval. Additionally, manufacturers must report adverse occurrences to the appropriate regulatory body. For example, the FDA mandates Medical Device Reporting as part of postmarket monitoring, whereas the EU MDR requires vigilance reporting. The Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP) simplifies the auditing process for manufacturers, eliminating the need to undergo numerous audits to meet the criteria of various regulatory jurisdictions.
● Product Development and Supplier Involvement
A company's backbone is its new product development. Because product research and development takes time, it necessitates greater attention from concept to completion. For businesses, this entails longer lead times and, as a result, greater prices. The first step is to understand client demands and translate them into technical requirements. Stakeholders using a requirements matrix must ensure that user requirements are well-defined, realistic, and contain methods for implementing and meeting the patient's demands.
● Process Development
Quality has changed from being built into the design to being controlled at the manufacturing level. Such a technique raises the likelihood of making mistakes while also increasing the possibilities for high-quality escapes. Recalls and field corrections may be necessary as a result of quality escape. Nonetheless, a successful new product launch necessitates careful manufacturing planning and execution.
