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Postmarketing Safety Reporting Requirements for Combination Products

This guidance addresses postmarketing safety reporting (PMSR) requirements for combination products that have received FDA marketing authorization. It clarifies reporting obligations for Combination Product Applicants and Constituent Part Applicants, including what reports are required, timelines, content, and submission processes.

  1. Determine if you are a Combination Product Applicant or Constituent Part Applicant
  2. Identify all applicable reporting requirements based on:
    • Application type (NDA, BLA, Device Application)
    • Constituent parts (drug, device, biologic)
  3. Establish processes to:
    • Monitor and assess safety events
    • Submit required reports within specified timelines
    • Share information between Constituent Part Applicants
    • Maintain required records
  4. Implement systems to:
    • Track reporting obligations and deadlines
    • Ensure complete reporting of required information
    • Submit reports through appropriate FDA systems
    • Document compliance with requirements
  5. Train relevant personnel on:
    • Reporting requirements and processes
    • Assessment of reportable events
    • Report preparation and submission
    • Record keeping requirements
  6. Review and update procedures periodically to ensure continued compliance
  7. Contact FDA’s Office of Combination Products when guidance is needed on specific situations

Key Considerations

Labelling

  • Labeling must be considered when determining if an adverse event is “unexpected” for reporting purposes
  • Whether an event is “expected” is based on whether it is listed in any current labeling accompanying the combination product

Safety

  • Must submit 15-day reports for serious and unexpected adverse experiences
  • Must submit 5-day reports for events requiring remedial action to prevent substantial harm
  • Must submit malfunction reports for device issues likely to cause death/serious injury if recurrent
  • Must submit Field Alert Reports for distributed products with drug constituent parts
  • Must submit Biological Product Deviation Reports for products with biological constituent parts
  • Must submit correction and removal reports for actions to reduce health risks
  • Must maintain records for specified time periods

Other considerations

  • 21 CFR Part 4: Regulation of Combination Products
  • 21 CFR Part 314: Applications for FDA Approval to Market a New Drug
  • 21 CFR Part 600: Biological Products
  • 21 CFR Part 803: Medical Device Reporting
  • 21 CFR Part 806: Medical Devices; Reports of Corrections and Removals

Original guidance

  • Postmarketing Safety Reporting Requirements for Combination Products
  • HTML / PDF
  • Issue date: 2019-07-22
  • Last changed date: 2019-07-22
  • Status: FINAL
  • Official FDA topics: Medical Devices, Combination Products, Drugs, Biologics
  • ReguVirta summary file ID: 9f6394eb1e39d3aac8edf56882df7452
This post is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the author.