The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received attention for its guidelines regarding how to regulate medical mobile apps used as devices. There is another agency that has a stake in regulation too. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) often works with the FDA to regulate mobile medical apps.
FTC or FDA Issue?
The FTC watches for unfair or deceptive practices. Basically, the agency looks at apps that promote false or misleading claims. If an app makes false promises to consumers, the FTC may become involved. The FTC only takes action if there is “no direct harm.” In this case, the FDA may ask the FTC to become involved or the FDA investigates the matter. The FDA also says it works with the FTC on issues where some overlap may occur.
Concluding Thoughts
It is logical that both agencies would oversee different areas or work together. Because the FDA received so much attention regarding regulation of health apps used as devices, it becomes easy to overlook the involvement of another agency. For developers, it means thinking in the end how any potentially false claims will impact consumers as another agency is watching too.
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