Laos Medical Device Registration

Medical Device Registration in Laos: FDD Regulations and Procedures

Regulatory Authority: Food and Drug Department (FDD) The Food and Drug Department (FDD) is the regulatory authority in Laos and regulates pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The manufacturer shall register the drugs and medical products with the (Ministry of Health) MOH to sell in Laos. The MOH is required to issue a certificate stating the drug conforms to legal health standards. MOH must inspect and analyze drugs and medical products to determine whether they conform to established safety and efficacy standards, prior to registration.

Link for Regulatory Authority: http://www.fdd.gov.la/index_en.php

Local Regulation: ASEAN Medical Device Directives Drug and Medical Product Law

Overview:

New regulatory requirements for medical device registration and notification in Laos came into effect in 2024 under Notification No. 9606 and Decision No. 1470. The process was phased, beginning with the registration of class C and D devices (moderate-high and high risk) from January 1, 2024, while class A and B devices (low and low-moderate risk) could still apply for import permits without registration. Starting January 1, 2025, class A devices required notification, and class B devices needed to be fully registered. Import-export companies were required to submit a list of medical devices to the FDD by December 15, 2023, to help streamline the process. If documents were incomplete, companies could submit essential documents with a timeline for the full submission. Domestic factories had to classify their devices based on risk levels, but the FDD retained the authority to reclassify devices if necessary.

Classification:

Medical devices are categorized based on the level of risk they pose to patients and users. For instance, Article 11 of the Law on Medical Products classifies devices into:

Class A
Class B
Class C
Class D

Listing or Registration Requirements:

Manufacturers or importers must submit detailed documentation, including:

Device specifications.
Clinical evaluation reports.
Compliance with international standards.
Quality management system certifications.

Documents Required for Registration:

Application Form
Common Submission Dossier
Product Information
Commercial marketing history
Labelling and Package Insert
List of Regulatory Approvals
Safety and performance related information
Clinical Studies
Risk Analysis
Manufacturing Process
Post Marketing Alerts System (PMAS)
Declaration of Conformity

Post-Market Surveillance:

Manufacturers and importers are required to monitor the performance of their devices in the market.
They must report any adverse events or product defects to the FDD promptly.