Medical Devices Regulations (SOR/98-282)

Notice to Minister

43.6 The manufacturer of a medical device referred to in section 43.2 shall notify the Minister in writing not less than 15 days prior to commencing the manufacture of the device.

Establishment Licence

Prohibition

• 44 (1) No person shall import or sell a medical device unless the person holds an establishment licence.

• (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the importation or sale of a medical device by

  • (a) a retailer;

  • (b) a health care facility;

  • (c) in the case of a Class II, III or IV medical device, the manufacturer of the medical device; or

  • (d) in the case of a Class I device, the manufacturer of the medical device, if the manufacturer imports or distributes solely through a person who holds an establishment licence.

• (3) Any person who imports a medical device shall ensure that the person from whom they import it holds an establishment licence.

• (4) Subsection (3) does not apply where a person imports

  • (a) in the case of a Class I medical device, from the manufacturer of that medical device if the person importing it holds an establishment licence; and

  • (b) in the case of a Class II, III or IV medical device, from the manufacturer of that medical device.

Application

45 A person who wishes to apply for an establishment licence shall submit an application to the Minister, in a form established by the Minister, that contains the following information and documents:

• (a) the name and address of the establishment;

• (b) the name, title and telephone number of the representative of the establishment to contact for any information concerning the application;

• (c) a statement as to whether the activity of the establishment is importation or distribution, or both;

• (d) the names and addresses of the manufacturers of the devices that are being imported or distributed;

• (e) for each manufacturer, in respect of a medical device other than a decorative contact lens, the medical specialities in respect of which the device is imported or distributed;

• (f) for each manufacturer, the classes of the devices that are being imported or distributed;

• (g) an attestation by a senior official of the establishment that the establishment has documented procedures in place in respect of distribution records, complaint handling and recalls;

• (h) if the establishment imports devices, an attestation by a senior official of the establishment that the establishment has documented procedures in place in respect of mandatory problem reporting;

• (i) if the establishment imports or distributes Class II, III or IV devices, an attestation by a senior official of the establishment that the establishment has documented procedures in place, where applicable, for handling, storage, delivery, installation, corrective action and servicing in respect of those devices; and

• (j) the address of each building where the procedures described in paragraphs (g) to (i) are in place.

Issuance

46 Subject to section 47, the Minister shall issue an establishment licence if the Minister determines that the application meets the requirements of section 45.

Annual Review of Licence

• 46.1 (1) The holder of an establishment licence that is not suspended shall submit an application for the review of their licence to the Minister before April 1 of each year and include with it the information and documents referred to in section 45.

• (2) The Minister shall conduct an annual review of the licence on the basis of the information and documents submitted by the holder and any other relevant information in the Minister’s possession.

Refusal

• 47 (1) The Minister may refuse to issue an establishment licence if the applicant has made a false or misleading statement in the application.

• (2) The Minister shall refuse to issue an establishment licence if the Minister has reasonable grounds to believe that issuing such a licence would constitute a risk to the health or safety of patients, users or other persons.

• (3) If the Minister refuses to issue an establishment licence, the Minister shall

  • (a) notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for the refusal; and

  • (b) give the applicant an opportunity to be heard.

Notification

48 If, following the issuance of an establishment licence, there is a change to any of the information submitted in accordance with paragraph 45(a) or (b), the holder of the establishment licence shall submit the new information to the Minister within 15 days of the change.

Suspension

• 49 (1) Subject to subsection (3), the Minister may suspend an establishment licence if the Minister has reasonable grounds to believe that

  • (a) the licensee has contravened these Regulations or any provision of the Act relating to medical devices;

  • (b) the licensee has made a false or misleading statement in the application; or

  • (c) failure to suspend the establishment licence would constitute a risk to the health or safety of patients, users or other persons.

• (2) Before suspending an establishment licence, the Minister shall consider

  • (a) the licensee’s history of compliance with these Regulations and with the provisions of the Act relating to medical devices; and

  • (b) the risk that allowing the licence to continue to be in force would constitute for the health or safety of patients, users or other persons.

• (3) Subject to section 50, the Minister shall not suspend an establishment licence until

  • (a) the Minister has sent the licensee a written notice that sets out the reason for the proposed suspension, any corrective action required to be taken and the time within which it must be taken;

  • (b) if corrective action is required, the time set out in the notice has passed without the action having been taken; and

  • (c) the licensee has been given an opportunity to be heard in respect of the suspension.

• 50 (1) The Minister may suspend an establishment licence without giving the licensee an opportunity to be heard if it is necessary to do so to prevent risk to the health or safety of patients, users or other persons, by giving the licensee a notice in writing that states the reason for the suspension.

• (2) A licensee may ask the Minister, in writing, that the suspension be reconsidered.

• (3) The Minister shall, within 45 days after the date of receiving the request, provide the licensee with an opportunity to be heard.

51 The Minister shall reinstate an establishment licence if the situation that gave rise to the suspension has been corrected or if the reason for the suspension was unfounded.

Cancellation

51.1 The Minister shall cancel an establishment licence in either of the following circumstances:

• (a) the licence has been suspended for a period of more than 12 months, or

• (b) the licence holder has failed to submit an application for the review of their licence in accordance with subsection 46.1(1).

Distribution Records

• 52 (1) The manufacturer, importer and distributor of a medical device shall each maintain a distribution record in respect of each device.

• (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to

  • (a) a retailer; or

  • (b) a health care facility in respect of a medical device that is distributed for use within that facility.

53 The distribution record shall contain sufficient information to permit complete and rapid withdrawal of the medical device from the market.