Field Safety Notices about AFX EndoVascular AAA System, with STRATA graft material

According to Inspectie Gezondheidszorg en Jeugd, this field safety notices involved a device in Netherlands that was produced by Boston Scientific.

What is this?

Field safety notices are communications sent out by medical device manufacturers or their representatives in relation to actions that they may be taking in relation to their product that is on the market. These are mainly for health workers, but also for users. They can include recalls and alerts.

Learn more about the data here
  • Type of Event
    Field Safety Notice
  • Date
    2017-06-22
  • Event Country
  • Event Source
    IGJ
  • Event Source URL
  • Notes / Alerts
    The data from the Netherlands is current through October 2018. All of the data comes from Inspectie Gezondheidszorg en Jeugd, except for the categories Manufacturer Parent Company and Product Classification.
    The Parent Company and the Product Classification were added by ICIJ.
    The parent company information is based on 2017 public records. The device classification information comes from FDA’s Product Classification by Review Panel, based on matches of recall data from the U.S. and the Netherlands.
  • Extra notes in the data
  • Reason
    We wish to provide additional important recommendations for surveillance of patients implanted with afx strata, and to reinforce previously communicated guidance.

Manufacturer

  • Manufacturer Parent Company (2017)
  • Manufacturer comment
    “We take a patient-first approach to assessing the applicability of every recall and communicate to regulatory bodies in all geographies where the recalled device is sold,” Boston Scientific said in a statement to ICIJ. “We have coordinated several recalls across many countries in a timely manner,” the company said, adding that it complies with all national laws, which can often vary and require different processes for reporting information or taking action on recalls. The company said it uses a rigorous and uniform process to take action on recalls and that “when we initiate a field action (e.g. recall, safety alert), every customer who has received an affected product receives a communication that includes a letter for the physician.” Note published by the authorities from the Netherlands: This message is a warning from the manufacturer. After placing a medical device on the market, the manufacturer is obliged to follow the device and, where necessary, to improve it. When there is a risk for the user, the manufacturer must take action. The manufacturer informs users and the inspection of this action with a warning (Field Safety Notice). See also medical device warnings. This is part of the supervision of medical technology.
  • Source
    IGJ