The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency found a slim majority of support for its proposed position to allow the reprocessing of single-use devices if the reprocessors take on the responsibilities of the manufacturer.
Both industry and clinicians argued that allowing the reprocessing of single-use devices would be likely to encourage reprocessing in the UK National Health Service (NHS). One Clinician highlighted that reprocessing low-risk devices could result in cost savings for the NHS.
MHRA response: On balance we continue to support the Commission’s proposal because it brings in controls on what is currently an unregulated practice. However we recognise that this is an imperfect solution and we intend to pursue the highest safety and quality standards for reprocessed single-use medical devices in the negotiations.
Full article here, pg. 17