EU Medical Device Coordination Group (MDCG) approves “Guidance” on the borderline between medical devices and medicinal products in order to support the uniform application of Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR) across the European Union.
Electronic prescriptions: Recent updates
A note published by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Economy and Finance on March 3, 2022, announced that as of January 31, 2022, electronic prescriptions for drugs that are not reimbursed by the National Health System are operational in parts of the Italian territory.
MDCG Guidance: Notified bodies and surveillance of legacy devices
On February 16, 2022, the Medical Device Coordination Group (MDCG) established by Article 103 of Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR) published a document providing guidance for appropriate surveillance regarding the transitional provisions under Article 120 of the MDR.
Deblistering: A new frontier for the “pharmacy of services”
The note on “the preparation of personalized packaging to improve therapeutic adherence of patients” released on February 3 by the Regione Lombardia sets a milestone in Italy for deblistering, which could soon become a standard service provided by Italian pharmacies as it already is provided by pharmacies in many other countries around the world.
The new decree on non-profit studies: Data and results may now be sold
On February 16, 2022, more than two years later than planned, the Ministerial Decree of November 30, 2021, containing measures to facilitate and support the development of nonprofit clinical trials of medicinal products and observational studies, as well as to regulate the transfer of data and results of nonprofit trials for registration purposes, was finally published in the Official Gazette.
Import and Distribution of Medical Devices in Switzerland – Amended Rules
The import and distribution of medical devices in Switzerland is governed by the Swiss Therapeutic Products Act and the Swiss Medical Devices Ordinance (MedDO). As of 26 May 2021, MedDO has been revised, foreseeing stricter and additional obligations for the operators active on the Swiss market.