Health technology assessment

In January 2018, the Spanish Network of Technology and Services Evaluation Agencies of the National Health System (REDETS), together with the Basque regional government, has published a health technology assessment report on high intensity focused ultrasound in Tremor Essential, developed by the Basque Office for Health Technology Assessment.

In the first half of March, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Interventional Procedures Guidance (laparoscopic mesh pectopexy for apical prolapse of the uterus or vagina and mosaicplasty for symptomatic articular cartilage defects of the knee) and one new Technology appraisal guidance for autologous chondrocyte implantation using chondrosphere for treating symptomatic articular cartilage defects of the knee.

The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) released the final report on the assessment of benefit for telemonitoring of cardiac implantable electronic devices compared to a standard treatment without telemonitoring in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias and / or heart failure. It was concluded that the benefits of the telemonitoring for patients with cardiac failure or heart rhythm disorders with a fast heart rate remain unclear.

In January 2018, the Galician HTA body, Avalia-T, released the technical review of The Vivistim® system, an implantable device for upper-limb rehabilitation after stroke. Evidence was found to be very limited to advice on the implementation of the technology.

On March 12th, 2018, Institute of Health Carlos III has published an evaluation report on therapeutic efficacy and safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for complex regional pain syndrome sympathetic reflex dystrophy.

In November 2017, the Andalusian Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AETSA) published an evaluation report (assessed within literature review) on the utility of exome sequencing for diagnosed dysmorphic syndromes.

In the second half of February, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new interventional procedures guidance (unilateral MRI-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy for moderate to severe tremor in Parkinson’s disease and supraciliary microstent insertion with phacoemulsification for primary open-angle glaucoma) and one Medical technologies guidance for transanal irrigation system for managing bowel dysfunction.

In the first half of February, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Medtech innovation briefings for a compression bandage for venous leg ulcers and insertable cardiac monitor for detecting suspected asymptomatic atrial fibrillation after cryptogenic stroke, one new interventional procedures guidance (aortic valve reconstruction with a new valve made from chemically treated cow pericardium) and one Medical technologies guidance for Memokath-051 stent for ureteric obstruction.

The method was under assessment by the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) previously but the assessment was paused due to insufficient evidence in 2008. The final decision will concern the reimbursement of the method in the outpatient sector. The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) is mandated to provide a health technology assessment (HTA) report to support G-BA’s decision.

KCE performed health technology assessment of 3D high-risk printed medical devices. It provides description of evidence concerning efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of the 3D printed medical devices as well as legal issues (requirements to enter to the market, liability, data protection, patient’s rights, traceability, reimbursement, intellectual property rights).

In order to decide upon the inclusion of medical benefits into the German statutory health insurance, the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) can commission the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) with the preparation of health technology assessments (HTA). At the turn of the year, IQWiG published its 220th evaluation dossier since its foundation in 2004. G-BA followed IQWiG’s recommendations in 70% of cases.

In the second half of January, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Medtech innovation briefings for an amniotic membrane allograft for treating chronic wounds and minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy medium to remove kidney stones, and one new Clinical Guideline for assessment and management of oesophago-gastric cancer in adults.