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Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP)

The International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF) recognizes that a global approach to auditing and monitoring the manufacturing of medical devices could improve their safety and oversight on an international scale. At its inaugural meeting in Singapore in 2012, the IMDRF identified a work group to develop specific documents for advancing a Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP).

The Medical Device Single Audit Program allows an MDSAP recognized Auditing Organization to conduct a single regulatory audit of a medical device manufacturer that satisfies the relevant requirements of the regulatory authorities participating in the program.

International partners that are participating in the MDSAP include:

  • MDSAP Members
    • Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia
    • Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária
    • Health Canada
    • Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency
    • U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  • MDSAP Official Observers:
    • European Union (EU)
    • Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) (NEW)
    • United Kingdom's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
    • The World Health Organization (WHO) Prequalification of In Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) Programme
  • MDSAP Affiliate Members:
    • Argentina's National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices (ANMAT)
    • Ministry of Health of Israel
    • Kenya's Pharmacy and Poisons Board
    • Republic of Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety
    • Federal Commission for Protection from Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) of Mexico
    • South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) (NEW)
    • TFDA - Taiwan Food and Drug Administration

From 01 January 2014 to 31 December 2016, FDA, alongside its international partners, participated in a Medical Device Single Audit Program Pilot. On 29 June 2017, a report was generated summarizing the outcomes of prospective “proof-of-concept” criteria established to confirm the viability of the Medical Device Single Audit Program. The outcomes documented in the Final MDSAP Pilot Report are based on data generated during the three (3) year pilot.

Based on its evaluation of the MDSAP Final Pilot Report, the MDSAP Regulatory Authority Council (the international MDSAP governing body) determined that the MDSAP Pilot had satisfactorily demonstrated the viability of the Medical Device Single Audit Program.

FDA will continue to accept MDSAP audit reports as a substitute for routine Agency inspections. Firms with activities related to the Electronic Product Radiation Control (EPRC) provisions of the Act will continue to be subject to FDA inspections for the EPRC activities.

Recent Updates

Auditing Organizations

Participant Survey

Medical Device Firms and Auditing Organizations participating in the Medical Device Single Audit Program are invited to provide feedback at the survey link below:

See what the industry has to say about MDSAP audits:

"With a Mission to improve the quality of life for patients, prevent progression of chronic diseases, and reduce overall healthcare system costs, ResMed is committed to driving innovation and efficiencies across all aspects of our business. The MDSAP program has allowed us to consolidate the global regulatory assessment process across multiple international locations, reducing internal costs while increasing the overall predictability of these efforts across our global footprint. By minimizing disruption to our business, we can focus on delivering the safest, most effective and technologically advanced products possible. ResMed is proud to participate in a program that is designed to increase efficiencies within our industry while having a positive impact on the cost of global healthcare."

"Auditors followed published MDSAP audit guidance very closely. We are now preparing to obtain MDSAP certificates for all ISO 13485/CMDCAS locations when MDSAP becomes fully operational in 2017."

"MDSAP allows a reduction in the number of audits conducted resulting in less business disruption. The MDSAP audit was well planned and the well-organized audit expectations allowed us to plan resources ahead of time. Additionally, qualified and competent auditing organizations conduct audits in a consistent manner. The transition from our previous audit cycle to the MDSAP audit program was easy due to the documents available on the MDSAP website. Definitely, more sites will be added to the MDSAP program in 2017 and 2018."

"MDSAP auditors are experienced and well-trained and apply a task-based audit approach. There is a reduction in the number of audits which brings less business disruption. GREAT web-based materials and guidelines are available to industry."

MDSAP Virtual Forum Presentations - December 2-4, 2020

On December 2-4, 2020, MDSAP Regulatory Authorities from the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia (TGA), Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), Health Canada (HC), Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) participated in a virtual forum with MDSAP Auditing Organizations.  During the forum, regulators from Australia, Brazil and Japan presented the following regulatory updates:

MDSAP Stakeholder Day Presentations - December 5-6, 2019

On December 5-6, 2019, FDA participated in the MDSAP Stakeholder Day with the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia, Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency, Health Canada, and Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency and regulators from Argentina's National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices, Colombia's National Institute for Food and Drug Surveillance, South Korea's Medical Device Safety Bureau, Taiwan Food and Drug Administration and Venezuela's INHRR.

MDSAP Stakeholder Day Presentations - December 5, 2018

On December 5, 2018, FDA participated in the MDSAP Stakeholder Day with the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia, Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency, Health Canada, and Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency and 200 representatives trade organizations and device manufacturers participating in MDSAP.

MDSAP Stakeholder Day Presentations - May 9, 2018

​On May 9, 2018, FDA participated in the MDSAP Stakeholder Day with the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia, Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency, Health Canada, and Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency and representatives from 60 device manufacturers marketing in Canada.

Resources For You



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