After warning that Hurricane Maria devastation in Puerto Rico could result in drug shortages, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said Friday that medical device shortages are a concern too, one that the regulator is working to minimize. Both industries have a large manufacturing presence in Puerto Rico. The FDA is watching 50 types of medical devices that are made in Puerto Rico and working with about 10 manufacturers to prevent shortages, especially for blood-related medical devices. In addition to helping get production back up and running and move important products in and out of Puerto Rico, the FDA said it is also considering importing ex-U.S. devices or shifting manufacturing of devices elsewhere. Obtaining materials, components and tools needed for production number among the manufacturing challenges for medical device makers, Gottlieb said. Medical device makers Medtronic plc , General Electric Company and Johnson & Johnson shares slumped 0.2%, 0.6% and 0.1% in afternoon trade, while Abbott Laboratories shares rose 0.3%. The iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF rose 0.7% in Friday trade.
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