Health technology assessment

On October 14, 2020, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) announced the ongoing update of the submission file guides to support companies who requested reimbursement for medical devices with a system of machine learning (artificial intelligence).

In October 2020, a completed mini-method assessment for the coronary sinus reducer stent (Neovasc) implantation in refractory angina pectoris treatment was published within the New Methods framework. The Oslo University Hospital carried out the evaluation. The technology was recommended for routine use in hospitals.

On October 09, 2020, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) launched a public consultation on proposals for changing how it selects the topics for medicines, medical devices, and diagnostics guidance development. The consultation closes on November 19, 2020.

In September 2020, Swedish Medical Technologies Product (MTP) Council decided to evaluate gene diagnostics for breast cancer within the Orderly introduction framework. Swedish Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (TLV) will perform health economic assessments of these tests, including MammaPrint, Oncotype DX, ProSigna, and EndoPredict

On August 31, 2020, Decision Forum decided not to introduce blood-based tests in pregnant women with suspected pre-eclampsia that was evaluated within the New Method framework since 2018

In August 2020, the network of European HTA agencies, EUnetHTA, announced the final plan of the project OTCA26 “Surgical procedures for treatment of obesity.” The key question of the assessment is bariatric surgery for the treatment of adults with obesity.

Earlier in September 2020, the Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA) released a synopsis of the ongoing research project “Reimbursement decisions for medical procedures in Austria: An analysis of factors – besides clinical evidence – influencing reimbursement decisions for the hospital benefit catalog 2010-2020.”

On September 03, 2020, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) opened HTA researcher-led proposal submissions. The proposals can be related to any health problem and should be within the scope of the HTA Program. The closing date is January 6, 2021.

In July 2020, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) issued an update of the methodological guide for the economic evaluation of medical technologies. The main changes aimed to improve the interpretation of the results and the uncertainty, to clarify technical points, and to integrate methodological changes that have occurred since 2011.

On September 7, 2020, the Swiss Medical Board has announced that the organization will discontinue its operations at the end of 2021.

In September 2020, a completed mini-method assessment for the MitraClip for percutaneous mitral valve repair was issued within the New Methods framework. The Oslo University Hospital carried out the evaluation. The method was recommended for routine use in hospitals.

On September 03, 2020, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued medical technologies guidance on Axonics sacral neuromodulation (SNM) system for treating refractory overactive bladder. NICE recommended Axonics SNM to be adopted in the NHS and considered as an alternative when another treatment is not effective.