Regulation of Medical Devices in the United States and European Union.

The article compares the medical device regulations in the U.S. and the European Union (EU). High-risk device manufacturers in the U.S. are required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to demonstrate safety and effectiveness before they can market their products. In Europe, patients have access to high-risk medical devices such as replacement joints and coronary stents. Criticisms against the EU system for conflicts of interest in its evaluation process are discussed.