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The present version of this Guidance Document details changes to the medical device inspection program. As of April 1st 2012, the inspection program includes an inspection cycle for domestic Medical Device Establishment Licence holders.
To manage and deliver a national compliance and enforcement program for blood and donor semen; cells, tissues and organs; drugs (human and veterinary); medical devices and natural health products, collaborating with and across, all regions.
This document does not constitute part of the Food and Drugs Act (Act) or its associated Regulations and in the event of any inconsistency or conflict between that Act or Regulations and this document, the Act or the Regulations take precedence. This document is an administrative document that is intended to facilitate compliance by the regulated party with the Act, the Regulations and the applicable administrative policies.
This document is intended to provide an overview of the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate (Inspectorate) inspection process, how compliance is assessed during an inspection and, where necessary, an interpretation of the regulatory requirements.
The Inspection Program applies to:
Any other party subject to the Food and Drugs Act and the Medical Devices Regulations, or a company holding a CAN/CSA-ISO 13485:03, Medical devices, Quality management systems certificate under CMDCAS, may also be inspected if there is an indication of noncompliance or suspected noncompliance.
In general, the primary focus of inspections is to assess compliance with sections of the Medical Devices Regulations (Regulations), such as complaint handling, recalls, mandatory problem reporting as they are not assessed through other mechanisms. Companies may also be assessed for compliance with the sections of the Food and Drugs Act (Act) which apply to medical devices, particularly sections 3, 19, 20 and 21.
Inspections of companies located in Canada are conducted on site.
Domestic Medical Device Establishment Licence (MDEL) holders are inspected according to the following inspection program cycle.
Establishments may be selected for inspection outside of the inspection program cycle using criteria that are risk-based. These include newly licensed establishments and the re-inspection of establishments that received an Non Compliant (NC) rating. A targeted inspection may also be conducted if there are concerns with an establishment's compliance with specific sections of the Act or Regulations.
In most cases, the company is given prior notice of the inspection. Notice is initially given by telephone contact followed by written confirmation. During this initial contact, certain basic administrative information including the types of medical device related activities of the company is requested or confirmed. Specific written procedures and list of manufacturers are usually requested prior to the inspection. Unannounced inspections may be conducted in situations where it is anticipated that this approach will provide a more accurate compliance assessment.
An inspection is typically conducted by one inspector from the Inspectorate. Additional inspectors may participate for training purposes or due to the complexity and size of the company inspected.
The inspection begins with an opening meeting. An inspection plan is presented and basic information on the company is reviewed. A tour of the facility may be conducted as appropriate. During the inspection, the inspector systematically gathers objective evidence of compliance with applicable regulatory requirements through interviewing staff, reviewing procedures and examining records.
When observations are identified, the risk associated are classified as risk 1, 2 or 3 as per GUI-0079 (Guidance on Risk Classification of Medical Device Observations) and appropriate corrective and preventative action is requested in order to mitigate the risk and achieve regulatory compliance, in accordance with the Medical Device Compliance and Enforcement Directive, GUI-0073. For example, noncompliant products may be subject to stop sale and recall. Depending on the nature of the observations and the company's response, enforcement action may be initiated at any point during the inspection.
Once the inspection has been completed, the inspector prepares a draft inspection report identifying the observations and comments. This report is discussed with the company at a closing meeting. Within 10 business days of issuing the final report, the establishment must provide a written response with a corrective action plan. However, if there is confirmation during the inspection that false attestations were made by the establishment regarding one or more required procedures, the establishment must provide copies of these procedures within 20 business days from the date of the closing meeting. If the required procedures are not submitted within 20 business days, proceedings may be initiated to suspends their MDEL (as per section 49 (1) (b)).
If one or more observations are classified as Risk 1, then the overall inspection rating may be NC (Non-Compliant). Should this be the case, the establishment will be given a reasonable time frame to address the observations which lead to the NC rating. Failure to adequately address the NC rating may lead to suspension of the company's MDEL. More information on risk classification of observations and overall ratings is available in GUI-0079 (Guidance on Risk Classification of Medical Device Observations).
Two tables found in Appendix 1 may be used by companies to determine which sections of the Regulations apply to them, based on their medical device related activities.
The first table contains the requirements from Part 1 of the Regulations. Part 1 applies to all devices except those regulated under Part 2 (custom-made devices and those devices under special access authorizations) and Part 3 (devices for investigational testing involving human subjects).
The second table contains the requirements for Parts 2, 3 and 4 of the Regulations. These requirements only apply to manufacturers, importers and distributors of devices described in those parts.
It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to establish the correct class of a device based on the rules found in Schedules 1 and 2 of the Regulations. Failure to classify devices correctly may result in noncompliance with the device licensing or other regulatory requirements.
Guidance is provided in the following documents located on the Therapeutic Products Directorate (TPD) web site:
Additional assistance is available by contacting the Licensing Services Division of the Medical Devices Bureau (MDB).
Compliance with the safety and effectiveness requirements is not routinely assessed during an inspection. Such assessments may be initiated when significant health risks are identified during inspections or from another source or by the request of the MDB.
Guidance is provided in the following documents Recognition and Use of Standards under the Medical Device Regulations located on the TPD web site:
Compliance assessment focuses primarily on labels for class I and II devices as these are not normally subject to Health Canada review by other means. Inquiries may be made to determine the nature of the controls established by the company to ensure ongoing compliance with labelling requirements. Labelling is then sampled and reviewed for regulatory compliance, taking into account the company's various product lines and device classes. The extent of sampling depends upon the adequacy of label controls observed and the compliance history with respect to labelling and other requirements.
Guidance is provided in the following documents located on the TPD web site:
Advertising material for contraceptive devices is reviewed for compliance.
An assessment of distribution records is conducted where the company has been directed to stop sale of affected devices.
Inquiries will be made to determine the nature of the controls established by the company to ensure that all class II, III or IV devices imported, advertised or sold are properly licensed with the exception of those devices subject to Part 2 (custom-made and special access) or Part 3 (investigational testing).
Compliance with the device licensing requirement is then assessed as follows:
The validity of device licences for products that are imported or sold (section 26) is verified by reviewing the company's evidence of current licences, taking account of the various product lines, device classes and kinds of licences (described in sections 28-31).
Medical device catalogues are reviewed for the presence of warning labels indicating that not all of the devices may be licensed, if such is determined to be the case (section 27).
Other advertising material is sampled from recent marketing promotions and licensing of the subject devices is verified by evidence provided by the company. The validity of claims made in the advertising material is verified by reviewing the claims upon which the licence was granted.
Where a licence has been suspended, cancelled, refused or amended, distribution and warehouse records are reviewed, on a sampling basis if necessary, for compliance with these regulatory restrictions.
The extent of sampling depends primarily on the adequacy of the company's licensing controls observed, as well as the complexity of the product lines, factors impacting on device licence amendments, such as, changing technology, the amount and complexity of advertising activities and the compliance history of the company.
Compliance with the requirements for a device licence application are assessed by the MDB and are therefore not normally included in an on site inspection.
Guidance is provided in the following documents located on the TPD web site:
Where a device licence has been issued with terms and conditions or amended terms and conditions, evidence of compliance with these special requirements (section 36) is reviewed.
In the case of an in vitro diagnostic device for which a licence has been issued with terms and conditions, evidence of submission of test results and protocol as well as sale in accordance with the Health Canada's permission is verified (section 37).
Evidence of a valid MDEL is requested under section 44, where deemed to be applicable. Based on the presence of a valid MDEL, the following sections are subject to review to verify the accuracy of the information provided in the MDEL application:
The documented procedures are reviewed to ensure that they have been implemented and are adequate. For sections 45(g) and 45(h), the procedures are assessed against the applicable requirements in the distribution records, complaint handling, recall and mandatory problem reporting sections of the Regulations. If the procedures are absent or are inadequate to meet the requirements for the applicable section, the company is considered to be in noncompliance. MDEL holders with missing or inadequate procedures are considered to have made a statement contrary to sections 45(g), 45(h) or 45(i).
For more guidance on assessing the adequacy of these procedures, please consult the sections on distribution records, complaint handling/recalls and mandatory problem reporting later in this document. Guidance on compliance with section 45(i) can be found Appendix II.
Guidance is provided in the following documents located on the Inspectorate web site
Evidence of the existence of distribution records and their adequacy to permit the retrieval of a list of all customers for a particular product is assessed.
The documented procedure is reviewed to ensure that it has been implemented and meets the criteria outlined in the guidance document. Records of problem reports are also reviewed for compliance with the procedures and with the regulatory requirements and to determine if appropriate corrective and preventive actions have been taken.
Guidance is provided in the following documents located on the Inspectorate web site:
The documented procedure is reviewed to ensure that it has been implemented and meets the criteria outlined in the guidance document. Recall records are also reviewed for compliance with the procedures and with the regulatory requirements.
Guidance is provided in the following documents located on the Inspectorate web site
Records of problem reports will be reviewed to determine the effectiveness of the established process for identification and reporting of problems meeting the mandatory reporting criteria.
Guidance is provided in the following documents located on the Health Canada web site:
Where applicable, a manufacturer's implant registry is reviewed for compliance against sections 66 and 67. If the manufacturer has received authorization for an alternate method of implant registration, the records are reviewed against the authorized method.
Custom-made or special access devices are identified and reviewed for compliance with sections 69, 70 and 75-78.
Compliance with sections 71-74, involving the authorization of a request, is assessed by the MDB.
Guidance is provided in the following documents located on the TPD web site:
Investigational testing devices are identified and reviewed for compliance with sections 79-81 and 86-88.
Compliance with sections 82-85, relating to the authorization of a request, is assessed by the MDB.
For interpretation of section 88 (other requirements) please see the respective interpretations in Part 1, above. Guidance on preparation of an application for authorization to obtain custom-made or special access devices is provided in the following documents located on the TPD web site:
Where export activities are identified which are claimed to fall under the exemptions of section 37 of the Act, compliance with the following conditions is verified:
Compliance and enforcement activities related to inspections are conducted in accordance with the following document located on the Inspectorate web site:
When using the tables below, companies involved in more than one activity will need to consult all applicable columns to determine all of the Regulations that apply. For example, a company that is the manufacturer of devices but also distributes devices made by other manufacturers would need to look at the appropriate manufacturer column as well as the distributor column. The activities of importers and distributors only apply to companies that import or distribute devices for which they are not designated as the manufacturer. The presence of an "x" under an activity indicates that the activity may apply, but companies also need to review any exemptions to determine if they are applicable. For example, the table indicates that manufacturers of class I devices are subject to establishment licensing, but some may be exempt from this requirement because they distribute solely through a licensed distributor.
| Activity / Regulation | Regulations sections | Manufacturer of class I devices | Manufacturer of class II, III or IV devices | Importer | Distributor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety and Effectiveness | 9 to 20 | ||||
| Labelling | 21-23 | ||||
| Contraceptive advertising | 24 | ||||
| Class I devices | 25 | ||||
| Device Licensing - Class II, III, IV devices | |||||
| Sale | 26 | ||||
| Advertising | 27 | ||||
| Licensing | 28-32 | ||||
| Foreign Manufacturers | 33 | Not in effect at this time | |||
| Licence Amendment | 34 | ||||
| Additional Information and Samples | 35 | ||||
| Issuance | 36 | ||||
| Lot of in vitro Diagnostic Devices | 37 | ||||
| Refusal to Issue | 38 | ||||
| Additional Information | 39 | ||||
| Suspension | 40-42 | ||||
| Obligation to Inform | 43 | ||||
| Establishment Licensing | 44 | ||||
| Application | 45 | ||||
| Issuance | 46 | ||||
| Refusal | 47 | ||||
| Notification | 48 | ||||
| Suspension | 49 | ||||
| Distribution Records | 52-55 | ||||
| Complaint handling | 57-58 | ||||
| Mandatory Problem Reporting | 59-61 | ||||
| Recall | 63-65 | ||||
| Implant Registration | 66-68 | ||||
| Activity / Regulation | Regulations sections | Manufacturer of class I devices | Manufacturer of class II, III or IV devices | Importer | Distributor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 2 - Custom-made and Special Access Devices | |||||
| General | 70 | ||||
| Authorization | 71-72 | ||||
| Additional Information | 73 | ||||
| Labelling | 75 | ||||
| Distribution Records | 76 | ||||
| Reporting incident | 77 | reporting requirements apply to healthcare professional | |||
| Implant Registration | 66-68 | ||||
| Part 3 - Medical Devices for Investigational Testing Involving Human Subjects | |||||
| General 80 (1) - sale or importation | 80(1) | ||||
| General 80 (2) -class II, III and IV authorization | 80(2) | ||||
| General 80 (3) - class I | 80(3) | ||||
| Records | 81 | ||||
| Authorization | 82-83 | ||||
| Additional Information | 84-85 | ||||
| Labelling | 86 | ||||
| Advertising | 87 | ||||
| Distribution record, complaint handling, mandatory problem reporting, recall and implant registration requirements | 88 | ||||
| Part 4 - Export Certificates | |||||
| Export Certificates | 89-92 | ||||
Taking into account the types of devices involved, procedures should address the following:
For devices requiring installation, procedures should address the following, where applicable:
Preventative maintenance procedures and procedures for repairs should address the following, where applicable: