[Impact of the European Medical Device Regulation on the availability of medical devices: Scoping review and two-year analysis on the risk for patients in the cardiovascular field]

Abstract

The implementation of the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) 2017/745/EU leaves manufacturers facing new requirements to certify their medical devices (MDs). Our objective is to accurately assess the impact of regulation on the availability of cardiovascular MDs in healthcare facilities. High-risk cardiovascular MDs appear to be heavily impacted by the regulation, with reclassification leading to mandatory clinical investigations. Access to new MDs could be restricted by the increase in clinical evidence that must be provided. However, our analysis has shown that some manufacturers are focusing on innovative cardiovascular MDs, at the expense of marketing existing product lines. The unavailability of MDs has impacted the practice of physicians in patient care. Healthcare professionals are requesting exceptional exemptions from national authorities to use the MDs. To combat these shortages, amendments to the MDR have been introduced, such as the extension of the MDs recertification deadline and the introduction of a reporting system to anticipate shortages. European and national institutions are becoming aware of the supply difficulties associated with the regulation. A tool for sharing information and proposing alternatives would simplify the management of these shortages.

Keywords: 2017/745 Regulation; Cardiovascular diseases; Dispositifs médicaux; Medical devices; Pathologies cardiovasculaires; Risks; Risques; Règlement 2017/745.