Post-market surveillance aims to ensure that IVDs continue to meet the same quality, safety and performance requirements as when they were initially placed on the market. WHO has developed normative guidance on post-market surveillance of in vitro diagnostics, emphasizing the importance of both reactive post-market surveillance and proactive post-market surveillance activities.
Reactive post-market surveillance refers to activities undertaken after an issue has occurred related to the IVD test (e.g., complaint reporting/monitoring; end user quality control programs, etc.), whereas proactive post-market surveillance refers to scans for potential issues related to the IVD (e.g., pre- and/or post-distribution lot testing). Lot testing involves testing samples from a manufacturing lot to ensure performance meets an acceptable standard.
For additional information on post-market surveillance, including sample reporting forms, see http://www.who.int/diagnostics_laboratory/postmarket/en/