HIMA urges firms to use third-party review

The Health Industry Manufacturers Association is urging medical device companies to take increasing advantage of a third-party review system within the Food and Drug Administration to gain quicker approval for their products.

Last month HIMA passed a resolution reminding companies to use the third-party review system. HIMA represents more than 800 manufacturers of medical devices, diagnostic products, and medical information systems.

The Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act, passed three years ago, devised the third-party system in response to a growing backlog of FDA applications and a dearth of personnel to complete the reviews. The act created a group of scientific and industry experts qualified to grant FDA approval for medical devices, said Linda Ruckel, HIMA spokeswoman.

HIMA members may be hesitant to use the third-party review system for product approval because they aren’t used to it, Ruckel said.

“We believe it’s a good thing. A lot of times (members) will go for the old tried and true way rather than a new format,” Ruckel said. “We know it’s out there and we want to encourage (companies) to use it more.”