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Germany

11
Oct 2017

Lack of co-funding of study from the manufacturer puts high-intensity focused ultrasound at risk for exclusion from German social health insurance

German Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) passed directives for co-funded trials to create evidence on two high-intensity focused ultrasound methods that showed potential benefit in the early benefit assessment process in relation to the innovation funding (NUB). Manufacturer refused to cover required contribution to trial costs and thereby risk exclusion of the methods from benefit catalogues in the German social health insurance.
06
Oct 2017

Resumption of assessments for two methods in the field of oncology by Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) in Germany

The Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) resumes assessments of methods that have been intermitted due to missing evidence: LDR brachytherapy in localized prostate carcinoma and PET or PET/CT for malignant lymphomas as well as for interim staging in Hodgkin's lymphoma. Studies conducted in the meantime are expected to provide sufficient evidence base for the assessment about the inclusion of the methods into the social health insurance benefit catalogue in Germany.
29
Sep 2017

The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has prepared the path for a trial of the transcorneal electrical stimulation for retinitis pigmentosa in Germany

After successful trial application by the manufacturer (Okuvision) of a stimulation technology (Okustim), the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) decided on a trial guideline for a co-funded study defining the key points of the planned study, including type and time period of the study, target population and control intervention. Results from the trial will be evaluated and may lead to reimbursement of the method in both, the inpatient and outpatient sectors.
26
Sep 2017

The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) sees potential in liposuction for the treatment of lipedema and plans co-funded trial to fill evidence gap

Too little evidence was available to evaluate the efficacy and safety of liposuction for the treatment of lipedema in the inpatient sector in Germany. However, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) regards the method as a potential treatment alternative. It, therefore, plans a co-funded trial in cooperation with the manufacturer to create missing evidence with a start in 2018.
22
Sep 2017

Release of provisional OPS procedure catalogue for 2018 in Germany by DIMDI

On August 15th, the German Institute of Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI) published the preliminary version of the new procedure catalogue for the inpatient sector in Germany. The final version of the catalogue will come into effect with the start of the year 2018. MTRC will report about new procedures and other changes included in the catalogue after the release of the official version in the beginning of 2018.
07
Sep 2017

IQWIG published preliminary report for telemonitoring with the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) in ventricular tachyarrhythmia and heart failure

In 2016, Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) commissioned Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWIG) for benefit assessment of telemonitoring systems in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD). In July 2017, IQWIG published a preliminary report. Due to lack of evidence, no benefit statement was made.
24
Aug 2017

Thulium laser resection of prostate was recommended for coverage within statutory health insurance by the German Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) for the treatment of benign prostatic syndrome

G-BA started review process for number of procedures for treatment of benign prostate enlargement in 2009. After publication of the results of rapid health technology assessment by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), G-BA was able to come to the conclusion in June 2017 about efficacy and safety of the thulium laser resection of prostate are well documented and procedure can be covered within statutory health insurance in Germany.
20
Jul 2017

German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has released new version of guidance for health technology assessments

New version 5.0 of the guidance “Allgemeine Methoden” provides basis for the scientific work of the Institute and its external experts. Multiple changes were made to existing sections, several new sections were added as well. Guidance provides brief overview of assessments performed in connection to benefit assessment for high class risk medical technologies, submitted for the innovation funding (NUB) for the first time.
19
Jul 2017

The Commonwealth Fund has released international comparison of health care systems: UK and the Netherlands are leading in number of areas

Researchers evaluated care process, access, administrative efficiency, equity and health care outcomes in 11 countries on the basis of published health care statistics for 72 indicators. The best overall performers among European countries were the UK (ranked 1st), the Netherlands (3rd), Norway (4th), Sweden and Switzerland (6th). Germany (8th) and France (10th) were low in the ranking.