GovWire

Guidance: Medical devices: information for users and patients

Medicines Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency

November 21
09:54 2023

What is a medical device?

A medical device is a healthcare product or piece of equipment that a person uses for a medical purpose. It is not a medicine or drug. Medical devices can diagnose, monitor or treat disease and help people with physical impairments become more independent.

Medical devices that people buy for personal use include:

  • blood glucose meters
  • blood pressure monitors
  • condoms
  • contact lenses and solutions
  • pregnancy test and other self-test kits
  • wheelchairs

Regulatory marking

Medical devices must have CE marking, UKCA marking or CE UKNI marking by law. This mark means that, provided you use it correctly, the device will work properly and is safe.

No device is 100% safe or reliable., The known risks of complications must be balanced in comparison to the benefits of the device, as stated by the manufacturer.

If you have any questions about weighing up the pros and cons of using a device for personal use, please speak to a healthcare professional.

MHRAs role

The MHRA is the regulator and market surveillance authority for medical devices in the UK. This means that we safeguard patient safety by:

  • ensuring that medical devices placed on the UK market meet the essential requirements of the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 and, in relation to Northern Ireland, the general safety and performance requirements in Regulation (EU) 2017/745 and Regulation (EU) 2017/746;
  • investigating concerns where medical devices do not meet these requirements, working with manufacturers to ensure that their products comply with the regulations;
  • prohibiting devices that present a clear and demonstrable risk to patients;
  • the designation of Approved Bodies (GB) and Notified Bodies (NI) in the UK and setting the standards that these organisations need to meet in order to become designated. Approved / Notified Bodies undertake the assessment and certification of medical devices which hold a risk classification of IIa, IIb, III, and devices which have a sterile or measuring function.

MHRA does not itself assess or approve medical devices placed on the UK market. It is also not our role as a responsible regulator to endorse any devices.

Buying medical devices for personal use

Before you buy the device

Before you buy a medical device for your own use, its important to:

  • make sure it is suitable for your medical condition
  • check it has CE marking, UKCA marking or CE UKNI marking
  • check if the manufacturers address is on the device or the packaging
  • get a demonstration of how to use the device especially if its a complicated device or procedure

If youre buying online, please see our guidance.

Before using the device

Before you start using the device, its important to:

  • check the device is not damaged
  • make sure you understand and follow the instructions
  • register the device with the manufacturer and fill in any warranty or guarantee cards so that the manufacturer can contact you if there is a fault or safety problem with the device
  • make sure you have everything you need, for example, find out if the device needs anything else to make it work such as test strips, batteries and so on

Remember also to:

  • keep the device in good condition by following instructions about service and maintenance and keep a record of the service history
  • store the device according to the manufacturers instructions - for some devices the wrong temperature or humidity can affect how it works or give you wrong results

Problems and troubleshooting

If you have a problem with the device, report it to MHRA using the Yellow Card scheme.

Problems that wed like to hear about include:

  • the device was damaged when you received it
  • there isnt a CE marking, UKCA marking or CE UKNI marking on the device or the user manual or packaging
  • the instructions arent clear
  • the manufacturers address isnt on the device or packaging

Do not use the device if you are worried about its quality, for example if it doesnt feel quite right to use as described in the instructions. Contact your healthcare professional about this and inform the manufacturer and report it to MHRA by Yellow Card.

Contact the distributor or manufacturer to arrange for repairs if your device breaks down. If you think the breakdown might have affected your health, you should report this to the MHRA using the Yellow Card.

These reports could help manufacturers improve their design and product information, and also help the MHRA improve the safety of devices.

If the device is being used to treat COVID-19, please report the problem using the dedicated Yellow Card?COVID-19?reporting?site.

If you are worried about a result given by a medical device, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

Blood glucose meters

Blood glucose meters are commonly used by people with diabetes for monitoring the glucose levels in their blood. They are normally recommended by a healthcare professional such as a GP or a diabetes specialist.

Blood glucose meters mostly use test strips to measure glucose levels and there are several types of meters with different features. The meters can also store your previous test results for review.

Your healthcare professional will help you choose the best meter for you. Make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions for your particular meter, these are outlined in the booklet provided with the meter. A member of your diabetes care team should train you correctly before you start using your meter. It is important that you use your meter correctly to make sure your blood glucose result is accurate.

Safety tips

Only use a blood glucose meter that you have been trained to use. If you intend to purchase your meter online, please refer to our guidance on buying medical devices for personal use.

Make sure to wash and dry your hands before testing.

Use only the test strips listed by the manufacturer for your device. Dont use test strips from a different manufacturer even if they fit your meter because they wont work.

Every time you start to use a new box of test strips, make sure you complete the required system check for your device using the control solutions provided. If you do not have the control solutions you can request these from the manufacturer.

Make sure you undertake display checks to prevent misinterpreting the result and always check your test strips are within their expiry date. You will find the expiry date printed on the container.

Make sure the lid of your test strips is sealed tightly, and stored in the original vial, as moisture from the air may affect the accuracy of the result.

The correct unit of measurement for blood glucose monitoring in the UK is mmol/L. Make sure your meter is set to this unit of measurement and check this regularly.

Blood glucose meters are sensitive to extremes of temperature and altitude differences. In these conditions, dont ignore any symptoms you may have even if you obtain a normal reading.

Always pay attention to any error codes, including HI and LO prompts your meter may show on the display window. If these persist, you should contact the manufacturers customer care line for customer support and your diabetes care team.

You should make sure you complete the warranty cards and return them to the manufacturer. This registers your device and means you can be contacted if your device needs to be changed, for example if it needs to be recalled for safety reasons.

Make sure you know how to clean/disinfect you meter adequately/safely as per the manufacturers instructions. There are several types of meters with different features. It is important to you use your meter correctly to ensure your blood glucose result is accurate.

We encourage patients, manufacturers, distributors, professional users and members of the public to report suspected issues to us via the Yellow Card Scheme.

Fetal dopplers/imaging

Fetal dopplers, also known as fetal heart monitors, baby heartbeat monitors or other similar names, are handheld devices mainly used by midwives to listen to a babys heartbeat during pregnancy.

We are aware that such devices can be purchased by individuals however, the NHS,

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