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Philippines: An Overview of the Proposed FDA Guidelines on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Medical Devices – August/September 2026

Philippines: An Overview of the Proposed FDA Guidelines on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Medical Devices – August/September 2026

  • 2026-09-21 03:23:41

The Philippine Department of Health has released a proposed Administrative Order establishing Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines for local medical device and IVD medical device manufacturers. The proposed Order adopts PNS ISO 13485:2019 as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s official GMP guideline and applicable PNS ISO 14644 standards for clean rooms. A two-year transitory period is proposed to allow affected manufacturers to comply with the new requirements once the Order takes effect.

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Japan: Summary of PMDA Review Points for Home-use SaMD that Detect Signs of Disease and Encourage Medical Consultation – July/August 2026

Japan: Summary of PMDA Review Points for Home-use SaMD that Detect Signs of Disease and Encourage Medical Consultation – July/August 2026

  • 2026-08-25 07:11:00

As general-purpose digital devices like smartphones and wearables become increasingly integrated into health monitoring, PMDA published the review guidance for home-use Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) intended to detect signs of disease and encourage users to seek medical consultation. It outlines the scope of the guidance, product description requirements, evaluation dossier, and key considerations for clinical study design, including clinical intention, design concept, clinical performance evaluation, and risk management. The summary is intended to provide an overview of the regulatory expectations for the development and evaluation of this type of SaMD and to facilitate understanding of the PMDA review approach.

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Philippines: An Overview of the Proposed FDA Guidelines for Variations to Issued Product Authorizations for Medical and Health-Related Devices – June/July 2026

Philippines: An Overview of the Proposed FDA Guidelines for Variations to Issued Product Authorizations for Medical and Health-Related Devices – June/July 2026

  • 2026-07-27 03:42:33

The Philippine FDA has issued a draft Circular proposing a comprehensive risk-based framework for post-approval variations of medical and health-related devices. Key proposed changes include the introduction of risk-based variation classifications, a dedicated variation pathway for medical device software (MDSW), single variation applications for eligible multiple product authorizations, updated submission procedures, and enhanced post-market responsibilities for Marketing Authorization Holders (MAHs) and retailers. The draft also provides guidance on timelines, fees, and regulatory enforcement to support a more standardized variation process.

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Vietnam: Enhanced Penalties and Stricter Compliance Control for Medical Devices under Decree No. 90/2026/ND-CP – May/June 2026

Vietnam: Enhanced Penalties and Stricter Compliance Control for Medical Devices under Decree No. 90/2026/ND-CP – May/June 2026

  • 2026-06-26 06:37:19

Effective May 15, 2026, Decree No. 90/2026/ND-CP replaces Decree No. 117/2020/ND-CP, strengthening administrative sanctions and compliance control in Vietnam’s medical device sector. Non-compliance may result in higher fines, product circulation restrictions and temporary business suspension, which may affect supply chains and hospital tenders. To maintain smooth operations, companies are recommended to review classifications, verify localized labeling and align workflows with applicable regulatory timelines.

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South Korea: Upcoming Amendments to the Medical Device Act and Revisions to the Regulation on the Permission, Notification, Review, Etc. of Medical Devices – May/June 2026

South Korea: Upcoming Amendments to the Medical Device Act and Revisions to the Regulation on the Permission, Notification, Review, Etc. of Medical Devices – May/June 2026

  • 2026-06-26 05:40:00

South Korea has introduced amendments to both the Medical Device Act and the Regulation on Medical Device Approval, Notification, and Review, bringing important updates for manufacturers and importers. Key changes include expanded use of real-world evidence (RWE), simplified documentation requirements, a broader transition period for approved changes, and the establishment of a formal quality management system (QMS) conformity recognition framework. The amendments reflect South Korea's ongoing efforts to enhance regulatory efficiency, strengthen oversight, and support innovation in the medical device sector.

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Vietnam: Regulatory Update on Goods Labeling under Decree No. 37/2026/ND-CP – February/March 2026

Vietnam: Regulatory Update on Goods Labeling under Decree No. 37/2026/ND-CP – February/March 2026

  • 2026-04-02 02:37:23

Decree No. 37/2026/ND-CP introduces updated labeling requirements in Vietnam, replacing previous regulations. It strengthens and supplements the rules on mandatory label information, while also introducing additional provisions on electronic labeling and specific requirements for medical devices. Transitional provisions are included to support the continued use of previously compliant labels for a limited period.

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Philippines: An Overview of the Proposed PFDA Guidelines for Medical Device Surveillance and Traceability – February/March 2026

Philippines: An Overview of the Proposed PFDA Guidelines for Medical Device Surveillance and Traceability – February/March 2026

  • 2026-04-01 09:14:49

The proposed PFDA guidelines establish requirements for maintaining importation and distribution records and for reporting product complaints, adverse events, and field safety corrective actions for medical devices to ensure traceability and facilitate appropriate regulatory action. This article outlines the specific responsibilities, strict reporting timelines, and record-keeping mandates designed to protect public health throughout the device lifecycle.

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South Korea: Medical Device Regulatory Update - MFDS Amends Approval, Notification, and Review Rules – January/February 2026

South Korea: Medical Device Regulatory Update - MFDS Amends Approval, Notification, and Review Rules – January/February 2026

  • 2026-02-25 04:14:57

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has amended the Regulation on Permission, Notification, Review, Etc. of Medical Devices, effective 26 January 2026. The revision expands acceptable clinical documentation, integrates Class II certification responsibilities, refines the regulatory framework for innovative medical devices, clarifies technical documentation requirements, and strengthens cybersecurity submission obligations for connected devices. These updates aim to enhance regulatory clarity, align with international standards, and improve the efficiency of approval and certification procedures in South Korea.

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