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GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) Program Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff September 2019

Download the Final Guidance Document Read the Federal Register Notice
Final
Docket Number:
FDA-2014-D-0223
Issued by:
Guidance Issuing Office
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research

FDA developed this guidance document to provide clarity to industry and FDA staff about the current review practices for the Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) Program. This programmatic guidance addresses commonly asked questions about HDEs and Humanitarian Use Devices (HUDs), including FDA actions on HDE applications, post-approval requirements, and special considerations for devices marketed under the HDE Program. This guidance document reflects changes in the HDE Program resulting from statutory amendments made by the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act) and explains the criteria FDA considers to determine if  “probable benefit” has been demonstrated as part of the Agency’s decision-making process regarding marketing authorization for a HUD. This guidance document also reflects amendments made to the HDE provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) by the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 (FDARA).

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Submit Comments Online

You can submit online or written comments on any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR 10.115(g)(5))

If unable to submit comments online, please mail written comments to:

Dockets Management
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Rm 1061
Rockville, MD 20852

All written comments should be identified with this document's docket number: FDA-2014-D-0223.

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