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Least Burdensome Principles for Medical Device Regulation

This guidance applies to all products meeting the statutory definition of a medical device, including device constituent parts of combination products. It covers all regulatory activities throughout the total product lifecycle, including premarket submissions, clinical studies, postmarket surveillance, compliance interactions, and guidance document development.

  1. Implement early engagement with FDA to discuss least burdensome approaches
  2. Consider alternative data sources before conducting new clinical studies
  3. Evaluate opportunities to leverage existing data and documentation
  4. Use risk-based approaches to determine appropriate level of evidence needed
  5. Consider postmarket data collection to reduce premarket requirements when appropriate
  6. Utilize international standards and harmonization opportunities
  7. Submit well-organized, clear, and concise information focused on regulatory requirements
  8. Implement efficient processes for regulatory submissions and reporting
  9. Consider benefit-risk principles in regulatory decision-making
  10. Maintain open communication channels with FDA throughout product lifecycle

Key Considerations

Clinical testing

  • Alternative sources of clinical data should be considered when appropriate (peer-reviewed literature, OUS data, real-world evidence, case histories)
  • Less burdensome study designs should be used when possible (historical controls, non-comparative studies, subject as own control, adaptive designs)
  • Balance between premarket and postmarket data collection should be considered

Non-clinical testing

  • Nonclinical data should be considered as replacement for clinical data when appropriate
  • Computer modeling and simulations can be used to support safety and effectiveness
  • Just-in-time testing approach can be used for early feasibility studies

Labelling

  • Alternative labeling approaches should be considered if original labeling is not supported by evidence
  • Addition of specific warnings/precautions may provide sufficient risk mitigation

Biocompatibility

  • Can leverage OUS clinical data or large animal safety studies for certain biocompatibility endpoints
  • Can use rationales based on materials properties, chemistry, and processing as alternatives to repeat testing

Safety

  • Benefit-risk assessments should be used in regulatory decision-making
  • Greater uncertainty may be acceptable when probable benefits are high or probable risks are low

Other considerations

  • 21 CFR Part 820: Quality System Regulation
  • 21 CFR Part 807: Establishment Registration and Device Listing
  • 21 CFR Part 803: Medical Device Reporting

Original guidance

  • Least Burdensome Principles for Medical Device Regulation
  • HTML / PDF
  • Issue date: 2019-02-05
  • Last changed date: 2020-10-20
  • Status: FINAL
  • Official FDA topics: Medical Devices, Premarket, Biologics
  • ReguVirta summary file ID: 6685b533d4c9a2f43d11c9f325fde901
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