The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has addressed personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages and guidance for healthcare organizations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in a FAQ on their website.
Q1. Is there a shortage of gowns? Surgical masks?
The FDA is aware that as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to expand globally, the supply chain for these devices will continue to be stressed if demand exceeds available supplies. We have received information from healthcare organizations that some distributors may have placed certain types of personal protective equipment (PPE) on allocation, basing the quantity available to the healthcare organization on previous usage, not projected use. Increased use may exceed the available supply of PPE, resulting in shortages at some healthcare organizations.
The FDA recommends conservation strategies for use by healthcare organizations and personnel—categorized for a range of clinical needs and supply levels—intended to assist healthcare organizations in determining conservation procedures during this time period. The FDA’s recommendations are intended to augment, and not intended to replace, specific controls and procedures developed by health care organizations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or CDC’s Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) to aid in infection prevention and control.
Q2. How can manufacturers of PPE who may be considering increasing availability of these products to the US market engage with the FDA?
The FDA recognizes that the need by healthcare providers and personnel for PPE such as surgical masks and surgical and isolation gowns, may outpace the supply during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
The FDA is collaborating with manufacturers of PPE to help facilitate mitigation strategies related to the COVID-19 outbreak. The FDA’s door is open, and we are available to collaborate with stakeholders.
To help alleviate supply pressures, the FDA may consider expedited review of manufacturing site changes or premarket submissions—manufacturers of PPE (particularly surgical masks and surgical or isolation gowns) may contact FDA regarding plans to increase availability of these products to the U.S. market.
For reference, the applicable product codes discussed in these FAQs are:
· Surgical masks (FXX)
· Surgical mask with antimicrobial/antiviral agent (OUK)
· Pediatric/child facemask (OXZ)
· Surgical gowns (FYA)
· Isolation gowns and surgical apparel accessories (FYC, LYU, OEA)
· Surgical suits (FXO)
The FDA is interested in hearing from manufacturers who may be able to help mitigate potential shortages of the above product codes by increasing U.S. availability of such devices. These manufacturers may email FDA at [email protected], which is closely monitored and has proven to be a valuable resource thus far in helping FDA mitigate potential supply chain disruptions.
To facilitate a rapid response to your email, please see an example of information that FDA would find helpful to have initially below:
Subject of the email: “Product Codes XXX, Shortage Mitigation Options for FDA Engagement,” where XXX represents the product code(s).
Body of the email:
· Describe the affected product or products which may include the brand name, model number, 510(k) number, etc.
· Describe the proposed mitigation approach.
· Identify what you are interested in discussing with FDA, such as:
· Expedited review of a premarket submission, or
· Expedited review of a manufacturing site change if you are a class III device manufacturer, or
· Information about importing certain products.
Q3. Which gowns are FDA-cleared? Which surgical masks are FDA-cleared?
To identify FDA-cleared products, search the 510(k) Premarket Notification database using the product codes for gowns (FYA, FYB, FYC) and surgical masks (FXX, OUK, OXZ).
Q4. Do gowns and surgical mask provide protection from coronavirus?
Gowns and surgical masks are intended to provide broad barrier protection. Please see current guidelines from the CDC on recommended use of PPE during the COVID-19 outbreak. At this time, FDA has not cleared, approved, or authorized any gowns or surgical masks for specific protection or prevention against the virus that causes COVID-19.
Q5. Can we use expired gowns and surgical masks? Do they offer the protection needed?
These products were designed to serve as protective barriers and thus FDA believes they may still offer some protection even when they are used beyond the manufacturer’s designated shelf life or expiration date. The user should visibly inspect the product prior to use and if there are concerns (such as degraded materials or visible tears) the product should be discarded. As a conventional capacity strategy, expired products may be used for training and demonstration purposes where barrier protection is not needed.
Q6. Can reusable cloth gowns be used in a shortage?
FDA- cleared or -approved reusable cloth gowns can be used. Adequate laundering can reduce the level of pathogen contamination to a negligible level and lower the overall risk of disease. The gown should be used at the barrier protection level indicated in the labeling. Coated or laminated fabrics should be checked to ensure they retain resistance to liquid and microbial penetration following decontamination, cleaning and/or sterilization.
Q7. How can I know in advance that manufacturers will have a shortage of masks and gowns so I can prepare?
If you are a part of a group purchasing organization (GPO), you may want to contact the GPO staff to determine what communication they receive from their suppliers; otherwise, you can contact manufacturers directly. Medical device manufacturers are not required to notify the FDA when they become aware of a circumstance that could lead to a device shortage or meaningful disruption in the supply of that device in the United States.
Q8. My health care organization already has a plan for protection against COVID-19, which includes other types of protective equipment (such as Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRS) or Controlled Air Purifying Respirators (CAPRS)) and other strategies. Are we required to follow the FDA’s recommendations listed in the letter to health care providers?
The letter to health care providers is intended to aid in the management of gowns and surgical masks. The FDA’s recommendations in the letter should supplement a health care organization’s policy.
Q9. How do I know what the manufacturer-designated shelf life is?
The manufacturer-designated shelf life may be found in the product labeling and if not, you can contact the manufacturer directly.
