On February 23, 2022, FDA published in the Federal Register a proposed rule that would replace the Quality System Regulation (QSR), at 21 C.F.R. Part 820, with a newly named Quality Management System Regulation (QMSR). The QMSR omits many of the specific QSR requirements that …
It may be just a coincidence that DOJ released its latest policy pronouncement at the same time as the final “Daniel Craig as James Bond” movie. But like James Bond, companies in the crosshairs of a government investigation have No Time to Die, as they …
The adage that “no one is perfect” applies as equally to companies as it does to people. Before committing to a merger or acquisition with another company, a potential Buyer must conduct due diligence to identify the imperfections of a target company so the Buyer …
Companies often use rebranding to reposition and refocus their business. Sometimes they do it with great fanfare; sometimes it is done quietly and incrementally. The federal government does its own version of rebranding with each change in administration. Just before the July 4 holiday weekend, …
In the first challenge ever brought against FDA’s rarely used power to ban a medical device, a court found FDA overstepped its authority and overturned the ban. In March 2020, FDA issued a final rule that banned the use of Graduated Electronic Decelerators (GEDs) to …
On April 2, 2021, the Ninth Circuit issued a decision in a False Claims Act (FCA) case against Medtronic. The Dan Abrams Co. LLC v. Medtronic Inc., No. 19-56377, 2021 U.S. App. LEXIS 9637 (9th Cir. Apr. 2, 2021). Relator appealed the U.S. District Court …
It’s not just drug companies that push the limit on marketing their products – see our posts about recent OPDP warning letters. Medical device companies are fighting for any edge to differentiate their products too. Even before COVID-19 brought an onslaught of new players to …
It’s a burning question: when will we return to normal? And although the answer is hugely subjective, this post focuses on the date the official emergency declaration for COVID-19 will terminate. Despite the general sentiment that we want to be back to normal sooner rather …
Although it is difficult to glean much positive during these COVID-times, particularly if you are (or could be) the subject of a government enforcement action, this post attempts to provide a possible silver lining. As part of an effort to support economic recovery during this …
Two federal courts, in unrelated cases, separately rejected plaintiffs’ attempts to force FDA to authorize the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat or prevent COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine, a drug that has been used for over 60 years, has been touted by President Trump as an effective treatment …
Last week brought a reminder that the government can bring to bear a range of legal theories – some old, some new – in pursuing alleged violations of food safety requirements. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a sentence levying $17.25 million in criminal penalties …
A Supreme Court decision this week shows good potential to upend FDA and FTC’s claim that they can without limits seek disgorgement of “profits” from defendants who engage in unlawful activities. In Liu v. Securities and Exchange Commission, the question was whether the SEC could …
Since HHS declared a public health emergency caused by COVID-19 in February 2020, there has been an overwhelming response to develop and market products to treat or mitigate the effects of the virus. Unfortunately, bad apples still are out there preying upon consumer fears and …
Under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (“PREP Act”), manufacturers, distributors, and health care providers acting to address the COVID-19 crisis can be protected from products liability suits related to the use of certain products. The Act provides immunity “from suit and liability under …
Given the broad deference afforded to federal agencies, it is rare when a court overturns an agency action challenged under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). In a recent decision, however, a court found that a regulation issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) violated …
