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# Stericycle Predicts Surge in FDA Enforcement After Pandemic
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/stericycle-predicts-surge-in-fda-enforcement-after-pandemic/
- Published: 2020-05-21T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T16:15:32.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, Devices, #legacy-id-D5146844

The Stericycle Q1 2020 recall report projects a significant surge in FDA drug and medical device enforcement activity once the Covid-19 public health emergency dies down. The [report](https://pages.stericycleexpertsolutions.com/hubfs/Q1%202020%20-%20Index%20Files%20%28April%202020%29/Expert%20Solutions%5FUS%20Index%20Q1%202020%20Report.pdf?utm%5Fcampaign=2020-05-Q1%20US%20Recall%20Index&utm%5Fmedium=email&%5Fhsmi=88247847&%5Fhsenc=p2ANqtz-%5FshECoVBpWYw0-R8HWSC0OQ8-HnOKwpUeHCi%5Fr5UCZHBANa7CMkacdWKTZPOK3GN7GK9xQEyrMZHgcVVDdM9R%5Fz07cPw&utm%5Fcontent=88247847&utm%5Fsource=hs%5Fautomation) says there is a good chance there will be a downturn in medical device recall activity in at least the second quarter, but followed by a rush of activity as the agency “moves full speed ahead to lock down an industry that multiplied overnight.”

According to Stericycle, companies are moving more quickly than they normally would, and companies that don’t traditionally manufacture medical devices are getting into the game. “While more good than harm is likely to be done by quickly advancing device production and medical technologies,” the report says, “it’s an unfortunate fact that speed often comes at the expense of quality or safety. Put that all together, and we’re predicting a surge in product recalls and withdrawals once the economy and country get back to ‘normal.’

In the first quarter of 2020, medical device recalls remained steady at 260, Stericycle says, representing a 6.1% decrease in events compared with last quarter. Software issues were the top recall reason for the 16th straight quarter.

For pharmaceuticals, recalls remained flat but Stericycle sees significant challenges ahead once agency inspectors are back in the field. The report says that early targets are likely to be the overseas manufacturers who have a history of violations but have stepped in to try to prevent product shortages.

There were 93 drug recalls in the first quarter, which was the same as the previous quarter. Inconsistencies in current good manufacturing practices remained the leading recall reason.