Identities of Foreign Adverse Event Reporters Protected , Fla. Appeals Court Rules in Hip Replacement Action

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Reports of foreign adverse events associated with Howmedica Osteonics Corp.’s recalled hip replacement devices must be redacted to conceal the identities of the voluntary reporters, a Florida appellate court has ruled.

On Jan. 25, the Florida Court of Appeal, 4th District, held that nothing in 21 C.F.R. § 20.63, which protects the identities of voluntary reporters, indicates that the regulation is only applicable to domestic reporters; therefore it can be extended to foreign voluntary reporters.

HOC sought certiorari review from the Broward County (Fla.) Circuit Court’s order that denied its request to redact identifying …