3. Cutting red tape
For its part, the FDA has announced a host of efforts to keep regulations from getting in the way of the fight against the pandemic. The agency has made a host of announcements in recent weeks:- Amid the shortage of respirator masks at health providers, the FDA has authorized the use of certain industrial respirator masks for healthcare workers during the coronavirus outbreak. President Trump followed up with an executive order to increase the availability of personal respiratory devices for healthcare workers.
- FDA administrator Dr. Stephen Hahn last month asked Congress to require medtech manufacturers to notify the agency of impending device shortages or supply-chain disruptions.
- The agency has also said it might expedite review of manufacturing site changes or premarket submissions related to personal protective equipment such as protective clothing, gowns, gloves, face shields, goggles, face masks and respirators.