Representatives from the medical device industry, government, and industry associations have formed a working group to identify and recommend best practices to improve medical device quality and enhance supply chain resiliency.
The purpose of the Best Practices in Supply Chain Resiliency and Quality Working Group is to improve medical device quality and supply chain resiliency by expanding MedAccred adoption through the tiers in the supply chain, identify best practices to supplement efforts in quality assurance and procurement strategies, and help mitigate supply chain risks.
The working group will provide clear considerations for key stakeholders, including medical device OEMs and contract manufacturers, the FDA, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), MedAccred, MedMMAP, Medical Device Innovation Consortium, Notified Bodies, Homeland Security, and others.
As part of its efforts, the working group will seek and evaluate lessons learned from other industries including aerospace and automotive. A key outcome will be the identification of the highest value critical manufacturing processes in medical device development with the aim of implementing the MedAccred program to mitigate supply chain risk, reduce quality escapes, and improve patient safety.
“This new working group brings together MedAccred, the FDA, U.S. Department of Commerce, and the medical device industry to improve quality, reduce supply chain risks, and make best use of technology,” says Bob Lizewski, vice president of MedAccred and chairman of the working group. “By working together, we aim to review and adapt best practices from across the medical device industry and develop practical recommendations towards improving patient safety while also reducing the cost to business.”
