Laws about catheters in US?

I took a little more time to read all the fine print on some caths I orderd the other day and I noticed this...

"Federal (USA) law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician."

😮

As I don't have a prescription for these, is the site I'm buying from breaking the law? Am I breaking the law?

You will find that statement on virtually every piece of medical equipment as well as supplies. To answer your question, technically they are breaking the law but if no one gets hurt the authorities probably would not pursue it. If someone does get hurt then they have a reason to nail you to the cross.

Thanks for the reply!

Would the company that sold it get the blame? Or the person buying?

Since I'm not a lawyer I could only speculate that the person in possession would be first in line. If the supplier could be responsible it would probably be under a different charge like illegal distribution. I'm certain it depends on the circumstances of the case, things like people dying tend to draw a lot of attention.

Yes - THEY are breaking the law by selling it, you are not. Federal law restricts the SALE of the device....not the purchase.

For catheters....does anyone care? no. But for other supplies, like needles (which might be used for injection of drugs....as if the prohibition of needles has a serious effect on the abuse of drugs....but that is a different story/rant), they are much more touchy.

There is no comparable law on the UK Statute Book for any form of medical equipment or drugs, save for some classified drugs such as narcotics. There are also some restrictions on the sale of sharps but those are age related laws.

Some suppliers may limit selling only to medical practitioners but that is a commercial decision.