The term 'medical devices' covers a wide range of equipment essential for patient care at every level of the health service, whether at the bedside, at a health clinic or in a large specialised hospital. Yet many countries lack access to high-quality devices, particularly in developing countries where health technology assessments are rare and there is a lack of regulatory controls to prevent the use of substandard devices. This publication provides a guidance framework for countries wishing to create or modify their own regulatory systems for medical devices, based on best practice experience in other countries. Issues highlighted include: the need for harmonised regulations; and the adoption, where appropriate, of device approvals of advanced regulatory systems to avoid an unnecessary drain on scarce resources. These approaches allow emphasis to be placed on locally-assessed needs, including vendor and device registration, training and surveillance and information exchange systems.

This comprehensive guide invites nations worldwide to embark on a transformative journey, implementing independent third-party verification systems that ensure medical devices comply with both international and national regulations. Prepare to be captivated as we delve into the intricate processes, unveil essential procedures, and illuminate the paramount importance of establishing traceability for medical device measurements. Imagine a world where medical devices undergo rigorous independent safety and performance verification, guaranteeing the utmost reliability for patient diagnoses and treatment. This book takes you on a compelling exploration of precisely that vision. Focusing on cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic devices, it captures the very essence of the latest international directives and regulations, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve. This new edition goes beyond the conventional, delving into the realms of innovation and progress. Unveiling in-depth maintenance regimes within healthcare institutions, we provide you with invaluable insights into post-market surveillance. As the world embraces the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, we pave the way for evidence-based management of medical device maintenance—a concept poised to reshape the healthcare landscape. Imagine a future where medical devices are seamlessly integrated into the legal metrology system, while fully operational national laboratories for medical device inspection set new standards of excellence. This book vividly illustrates how such a powerful union can elevate the reliability of medical devices in diagnosis and patient care. Brace yourself for a paradigm shift that not only enhances efficacy but also leads to significant cost reductions within your country's healthcare system. Join us on this extraordinary journey as we unveil the untapped potential of medical device inspection. With our innovative approach and unrivaled expertise, together we can revolutionize healthcare, transforming the lives of countless patients worldwide. Get ready to be inspired, informed, and empowered—welcome to the future of healthcare!

This handbook covers medical device regulatory systems in different countries, ISO standards for medical devices, clinical trial and regulatory requirements, and documentation for application. It is the first to cover the medical device regulatory affairs in Asia. Experts from influential international regulatory bodies, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, Japan Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Korea Testing Laboratory, Taiwan FDA, World Health Organization, Asian Harmonization Working Party, Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society, and British Standards Institution, have contributed to the book. Government bodies, the medical device industry, academics, students, and general readers will find the book immensely useful for understanding the global regulatory environment and in their research and development projects.

This seventh edition of Health at a Glance Asia/Pacific presents a set of key indicators of health status, the determinants of health, health-care resources and utilisation, health-care expenditure and financing, and quality of care across 27 Asia-Pacific countries and territories. It also provides a series of dashboards to compare performance across countries and territories, and a thematic analysis on the health impact of COVID-19.

This second edition of Health at a Glance: Latin America and the Caribbean, prepared jointly by OECD and the World Bank, presents a set of key indicators of health status, determinants of health, healthcare resources and utilisation, healthcare expenditure and financing, quality of care, health workforce, and ageing across 33 Latin America and the Caribbean countries.