FDA vs PMDA: US and Japan Medical Device Approval Compared
Compare FDA 510(k)/PMA with PMDA Shonin/Ninsho — classification, QMS (Ordinance 169 vs 21 CFR 820), clinical data requirements, and DMAL holder vs US Agent.
FDA
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
United States
The FDA is the primary regulatory authority for medical devices in the United States. Its Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) oversees premarket review, postmarket surveillance, and enfo…
Class I, II, III
510(k), PMA, De Novo, HDE
- ▸510(k) clearance and PMA approval
- ▸MAUDE adverse event database
- ▸FDA Enforcement Reports and recalls
- ▸De Novo classification
- ▸Breakthrough Device Designation
PMDA
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (Japan)
Japan
Japan's PMDA conducts scientific reviews of medical device applications under the PMD Act. Japan uses a four-class system with three pathways: Todokede (notification) for Class I, Ninsho (third-party …
Class I, II, III, IV
Todokede / Ninsho / Shonin
- ▸Shonin pre-market approval
- ▸Ninsho third-party certification
- ▸QMS inspection (MHLW Ordinance 169)
- ▸PMDA consultation (Taimen Joshu)
- ▸Foreign Manufacturer Registration
MedFlux monitors both FDA and PMDA in real time — every regulatory change, safety alert, and market signal delivered in under 90 seconds.
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