Health technology assessment

The report issued within the framework of Joint Action 3 confirmed superiority of triclosan-coated sutures in reducing the risk of total incisional surgical site infections over non-antibacterial coated sutures. No conclusions were made in relation to the chlorhexidine-coated sutures due to lack of evidence.

European Commission launched an evaluation of necessity to prolong support to cooperation between health technology assessment agencies beyond 2020, when the current EUnetHTA Joint Action 3 comes to an end) in September 2016. As part of the assessment, it launched an online public consultation in October 2016, which ended in January 2017. The objective of the consultation was to collect views of different stakeholders on the future of collaboration in the HTA field.

In first two weeks of May NICE has published one Diagnostic Guidance, two Medtech Innovation Briefings, one Interventional Procedure Guidance, and has updated three Clinical Guidelines.

National Commission for the Evaluation of Medical Devices and Health Technologies (CNEDiMTS) positively appraised Verrata and Verrate Plus guidewires for add-on reimbursement via LPPR title V. Level of added clinical value was considered moderate (ASA III) in comparison with management strategy, based solely on angiography data. This decision complements decision early this year in relation to St. Jude Medical’s (now Abbott) PressureWire FFR wires.

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute - HTA conducted a budget impact analysis on request from the Federal Ministry of Health and Women (BMGF) for testing of TSH as screening for hypothyroidism, urine culture as screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria and ultrasound screening for foetal anomalies.

French National Authority for Health (HAS) has initiated an assessment of organizational impact of mechanical thrombectomy on the system of stroke management in France with objective to find the most adequate way of further introduction of the method into French health care system.

Currently there are 10 ongoing mini-health technology assessments of medical technologies in Norway. After completion of evaluation, decision will be made about funding of these technologies at hospital level.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK issued one Interventional Procedure Guidance, one Med Tech Innovation Briefing and updated two of Clinical Guidelines in April 2017.

The Forum of Norwegian payers made decision about introduction of three medical technologies: mechanical thrombectomy for stroke, baroreflex activation therapy for resistant hypertension and non-invasive prenatal testing for detection of trisomy 13, 18 and 21.

Three mini-HTAs were published since beginning of 2017: procalcitonin for diagnostic of bacterial infections, Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) for achalasia, and use of the Prosigna test (PAM50 ROR) for decisions on adjuvant treatment in breast cancer. These assessments can support introduction of methods at local hospital level in Norway.

Assessment using HTA Core Model framework revealed that technology is safe, but evidence of efficacy is limited.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK issued two Interventional Procedure Guidance, one Medical Technology Guidance, five Med Tech Innovation Briefings and updated number of Clinical Guidelines in March 2017.