Legal regulation of additive technologies in modern biomedicine

Abstract

Research reveals the legal problems that arise due to the rapid pace of development of additive technologies (3D printing) in biomedicine (bioprinting). The purpose of the research is to analyze the legislation that defines the legal regime of additive technologies, identify the main gaps in regulation, carry out a comparative legal study, which allows to formulate recommendations to improve Russian legislation. Special strategies are used as an object of comparative research; they contribute to fix the priority development of 3D printing. The employed methods are as follows: the method of analysis of legal regulation, comparative legal and formal legal. Results. Attention is paid to the main trends and risks of progress in this direction, which are reflected in decentralization of production; improving its efficiency and reducing waste; reduction of development time and their introduction into mass production with a simultaneous rise in quality of the finished product; expanding the population's access to material goods; minimizing the state control. Particular attention is paid to the legal assessment of the applicability of bioprinting in transplantology, the manufacture of implants, surgical planning, and the use of printed organs for experiments. Conclusions: when adjusting the legal framework, institutional readiness should be taken into account - the ability of the entire Russian healthcare system to use additive technologies properly (which will require significant changes in healthcare legislation). An independent direction is the use of bioprinting in the testing of drugs. 3D printing creates small organ-like structures (they are called organoids) on which experiments can be carried out for the screening of pharmaceuticals. This will require changes in the legal regime for the circulation of medicines, as well as the main functions of the state regulator (the Russian Ministry of Health and Roszdravnadzor). It is noted that additive technologies make it possible to manufacture medicines, but world experience indicates a cautious attitude towards this type of production. Research argues for the need to follow a risk-based approach in the legal regulation of bioprinting, as well as to introduce the general approach of Hospital Exemption (pharmaceutical exclusion) used in the countries of the European Union, as well as some other countries aimed at the development of regenerative medicine.