On June 30, 2022, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration has issued FDA Circular No 2017-013-A entitled, “AMENDMENT TO FDA CIRCULAR NO. 2017-013, ENTITLED, GUIDELINES ON THE ISSUANCE OF CLEARANCE FOR CUSTOMS RELEASE (CFCR) OF RADIATION DEVICES BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION – CENTER FOR DEVICE REGULATION, RADIATION HEALTH, AND RESEARCH (FDA-CDRRHR)”. This Circular aims to provide guidelines for medical radiation devices in line with the phased implementation of the Administrative Order No. 2018-002 specified through FDA Circular No. 2021-002 and its amendments, and shall be applied to all importers of radiation devices used for medical and non-medical applications.
The Sections of FDA Circular No 2017-013 which has been amended are as follows
A. Section V.A.6:
FROM:
For a radiation device item to be used for medical applications, a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) or any equivalent document certifying that the product is safe and allowed to be sold in the country of origin issued by the Ministry of Health of the country of origin;
a. This document shall be duly authenticated by the Philippine Consulate in the country of origin;
b. If the CPR is unavailable immediately, a duly notarized letter guaranteeing submission of this document to the CDRRHR, within sixty (60) days from receipt by the CDRRHR of the written request, shall be allowed in lieu of the CPR.
TO:
For radiation devices used for medical applications, a Certificate of Medical Device Registration (CMDR)/Certificate of Medical Device Notification (CMDN) issued by the FDA-CDRRHR shall be submitted to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for Class B, C, and D medical radiation devices prior to its release, in lieu of the Clearance for Customs Release (CFCR).
B. Sections V.C.1 and are amended and combined into a single provision with the inclusion of additional types of radiation devices:
FROM:
Section V.C.1
Pursuant to Customs Memorandum Order No. 9-2015 dated 10 April 2015 entitled “On the Strict Enforcement of Rules Concerning Regulated Imports,” all importers shall be required to provide a CFCR for radiation devices listed below when filing import entries with the BOC:
- Radiation Devices used for Medical Applications
a) Computed Tomography (CT) Dental X-ray Machine
b) Conventional X-ray Machine
c) Dental Conventional
d) Dental panoramic X-ray Machine
e) Dental Radiography X-ray Machine
f) Electron Microscope
g) Laser Pointer (Laser for Medical, Ophthalmology & Dental Purpose)
h) Linear Accelerator
i) Mammography X-ray Machine
j) Medical CT X-ray Machine
k) Mobile X-ray Machine
l) Portable X-ray Machine
m) Transportable X-ray Machine
n) Tomotherapy Machine
o) UV/Laser (for Dermatology)
Section V.D.1
Radiation devices listed below are also regulated imports and are required to have a CFCR from the CDRRHR:
- Radiation Devices used for Medical Applications
a) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
b) Ultrasound Machine
c) Bone Densitometer
d) Interventional X-ray Machine
TO:
Pursuant to Customs Memorandum Order No. 9-2015 dated 10 April 2015 entitled “On the Strict Enforcement of Rules Concerning Regulated Imports” and the updated List of BOC regulated imports, all importers, or Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH), as defined by FDA Circular No. 2021-002-A, shall be required to provide a CMDR or CMDN for medical radiation devices listed below when filing import entries with the BOC:
a. Conventional X-ray Machines
b. Dental Panoramic X-ray Machines
c. Laser Pointers (Laser for Medical, Ophthalmological, & Dental Purposes)
d. Medical Computed Tomography (CT) X-ray machines
e. Electron Microscopes
f. Computed Tomography (CT) Dental X-ray Machines
g. Dental Conventional X-ray Machines
h. Dental Panoramic X-ray Machines
i. Digital Radiography X-ray Machines
j. UV/Laser Devices (for Dermatology or Cosmetic Purposes)
k. Linear Accelerators
l. Mammography X-ray Machines
m. Medical Computed Tomography (CT X-ray Machine)
n. Mobile X-ray Machines
o. Portable X-ray Machines
p. Tomotherapy Machine
q. Transportable X-ray Machines
r. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
s. Ultrasound Machines
t. Bone Densitometers
u. Interventional X-ray Machines
v. Positron Emission Tomography machines
w. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
x. Stereotactic Radiosurgery Machines
y. Gamma Camera
Other types of medical radiation devices not included in the list provided, including new technologies or devices, shall also be required a CMDR or CMDN subject to the medical device classification and verification guidelines of DOH AO No. 2018-0002.
C. Section V.E:
FROM:
RF coils for MRI, ultrasound probes or transducers, x-ray tubes (and other parts or device accessories used for replacement of x-ray tube) are required to have a CFCR from the CDRRHR prior to release of the said regulated imports. However, radiation device parts and device accessories such as cassettes, printers, software and/or of the same kind shall not be required to have a CFCR from the CDRRHR.
TO:
Accessories and software that are intended by the manufacturer to be used in combination with a medical radiation device to enable the latter to be used for its intended purpose, and as required by Section VI.1 of DOH AO No. 2018-0002, are required to have a Certificate of Medical Device Notification (CMDN) or CMDR prior to its release.
Radiofrequency (RF) coils for MRI, x-ray tubes, (and other parts used for replacement of x-ray tube), and medical radiation device spare parts used to specifically generate radiation are still required to have a CFCR from CDRRHR.
D. Section V.F
FROM:
For medical devices listed in the FDA Memorandum Circular No. 2014-005 and its amendments, a CPR is required prior to release by the BOC. For exempted products, a Certificate of Exemption shall be required.
TO:
Rescinded/Revoked.
E. Section V. Specific Guidelines additional provisions:
Additions:
F. Medical radiation devices and accessories, regulated under this Circular, intended specifically and strictly for research, clinical studies, clinical investigations, exhibits, private use of health institutions, sample product for analysis/testing with ongoing CPR application, or donated brand new medical devices, shall apply for a Certificate of Medical Device Listing (CMDL) from CDRRHR prior to important by the researcher, institution, and/or user of such devices.
G. Medical radiation devices and accessories which is part of foreign donations to the health sector through the Bureau of International Health Cooperation (BIHC), as defined by DOH AO No. 2020-0001 or the “Guidelines in the Importation, Facilitation, and Management of Foreign Donations involving Health and health-Related Products” shall request for an FDA clearance for foreign donations.
The FDA provides transition period in which the CFCR and the License to Operate (LTO) of the medical device establishment could still be submitted and honored for BOC release until 31 March 2023 pursuant to FDA Circular No. 2021-002-B. However, starting 1 April 2023, all Marketing Authorization Holders (MAH) shall apply for a CMDN for Class B, C, and D medical radiation devices. While applications for CMDN are ongoing, the CFCR and the License to Operate (LTO) of the medical device establishment shall still be submitted and honored for BOC release provided that a proof of application for CMDN shall be attached to the CFCR and LTO presented.
The FDA Circular No 2017-013-A shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation and upon filing three (3) certified copies to the University of the Philippines Law Center.
You can read about the updates in full here.
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