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TMCNet: FCC, FDA Take Steps to Promote Innovation and Investment in Wireless-Enabled Medical Devices

[July 27, 2010]

FCC, FDA Take Steps to Promote Innovation and Investment in Wireless-Enabled Medical Devices

(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) WASHINGTON, July 26 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following news release: Moving forward on recommendations from the National Broadband Plan sent to Congress in March, the leaders of two federal agencies announced a joint effort to help the nation realize the promise that broadband and wireless-enabled medical devices hold for health care in America, while protecting consumer safety.

Kicking off a two-day public meeting showcasing a broad range of cutting-edge wireless medical devices and expert panel discussions, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret Hamburg formalized the close collaboration between the agencies by signing a Joint Statement of Principles and Memorandum of Understanding.

Read the Joint Statement of Principles: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-300200A1.pdf Read the Memorandum of Understanding: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-300200A2.pdf This agreement recognizes that all Americans stand to benefit from broadband-enabled wireless health solutions; that the agencies must unleash innovation while ensuring patient safety; and that they must partner effectively to do so. The FCC is responsible for overseeing the efficient use of airwaves, and the FDA is responsible for the safety and efficacy of medical devices.

"Not only will cutting-edge devices improve medical care and reduce health costs, they will catalyze private investment to create jobs and spur economic growth," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. "I am honored to work with Commissioner Hamburg -- in the first-ever FCC-FDA partnership -- on an issue that has the potential to improve the health of all Americans and our economy." Commissioner Hamburg said, "The benefits that wireless technologies can provide to healthcare are clear, but to harness the full power of those benefits, we must navigate a delicate balance between innovation and safety and effectiveness. Working alongside the FCC, we can improve the efficiency of regulatory processes in areas where our jurisdictions overlap. " The National Broadband Plan found that the use of communications devices and networks in the provision of health care is increasingly transforming medicine by allowing doctors to treat patients anywhere, anytime, while improving quality and cutting costs. These devices increasingly rely on commercial wireless networks to relay information for patient health monitoring and decision support. The Plan recommended that the FCC and FDA clarify regulatory requirements and the approval process for converged communications and health care devices so that consumers and health care providers can enjoy the benefits.

The agenda for the meetings includes a wide range of top technologists, doctors and health care experts, along with White House and other executive branch officials. Among those attending Monday was White House Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra, who toured a showcase of cutting-edge wireless medical devices set up near the FCC meeting room.

Event agenda: http://reboot.fcc.gov/workshops/fcc-fda-joint-meeting-on-life-saving-wireless-medical-technology TNS MT93 100727-2929198 61MarlizTagarum (c) 2010 Targeted News Service

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