US health regulators make it easier to approve new X-ray creams

The US Food and Drug Administration is reclassifying a cream used to block X-rays during medical procedures. This change moves the cream from a higher-risk category to a lower one, making it easier for new versions of the product to get approved.

For years, new medical devices in the highest risk categories faced a long, expensive approval process. This reclassification means that future X-ray attenuation creams will need less data and fewer tests to reach patients. The goal is to speed up access to new versions of these products, which could help patients and reduce costs for manufacturers.