FDA Solicits Comments on Effects of Extreme Weather on Medical Devices

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking comments until May 10, 2013, from the medical device industry and the public on how the production and supply of medical devices could be affected by extreme weather and natural disasters. According to a previous FDA news release, extreme weather and natural disasters can interrupt the manufacturing and distribution of medical devices, which can affect their safety, quality, and availability. For example, flooding and fire can damage facilities where sterile products are stored, electricity outages or lack of access to filtered water can stop or slow down medical device production, and large storms can disrupt the shipping and distribution of medical devices or the materials used to manufacture them.