Health technology assessment

In February 2023, Swedish Medical Technologies Product (MTP) Council announced ongoing horizon scanning within the Orderly introduction framework for medical technologies to be used in benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (TLV) initiated a theme survey, accepting suggestions until March 31, 2023.

In February 2023, NICE completed its first early value assessment (EVA) within the medical technologies evaluation program concerning digital cognitive behavioral therapy. EVA guidance aimed to provide quicker conditional recommendations on promising medical technologies (digital products, medical devices, and diagnostics) that address unmet national needs while more evidence is generated.

In February 2023, it was announced that the Basque Office for Health Technology Assessment (OSTEBA) initiated several HTAs, including evaluations in the e-health, radiology, nephrology and urology, cardiovascular, IVD, obstetrics and gynecology, diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy, neurovascular, ENT, interventional radiology, surgical procedures, and some other fields.

In the fourth quarter of 2022, Health Technology Wales published three MedTech-related guidance (Left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with atrial fibrillation, continuous topical oxygen therapy, and virtual reality distraction therapy). Four Topic Exploration Reports were released as well (virtual wards, genetic testing for prostate cancer, autofluorescence imaging, and geniculate artery embolization); however, Health Technology Wales decided not to proceed with complete appraisals on these topics.

In January 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published four new Interventional Procedure Guidance (percutaneous image-guided cryoablation of peripheral neuroma, laparoscopic insertion of a magnetic ring, transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve, and trabeculectomy with a biodegradable collagen matrix implant ), two new Diagnostic Guidance (devices for remote monitoring of Parkinson's disease, MRI-based technologies for assessing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), and three new Medtech Innovation Briefings (PredictSURE IBD, Ambu aScope 4 Broncho, and Aquablation robotic therapy). One MedTech-related clinical guideline was updated.

In December 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released six MedTech-related reports in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal, which concerned laser therapy in diabetic macular oedema, EarlyCDT Lung blood test, video-assisted thoracoscopic or open lobectomy, urethral slings for stress urinary incontinence, placental growth factor (PlGF) and sFlt-1 tests, and photobiomodulation in the management of oral mucositis. HTA Journal publishes research reports on the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage, and provide care in the NHS and informs National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.

In December 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Medical Technologies Guidance (Memokath 051 Ureter stent for ureteric obstruction) and one MedTech Innovation Briefing (PromarkerD). Also, two new clinical guidelines were published, and one was updated.

In the second half of December 2022, the Basque Office for Health Technology Assessment (OSTEBA) released a report aiming to evaluate mitral valve repair surgery as an alternative to mitral valve replacement.

The HTA body of the Tuscany Regional Healthcare issues three types of documents: full HTA reports, rapid HTA reports, and motivational forms. With regional decree 24486 of December 7, 2022, Tuscany Regional Healthcare has published assessments of three medical devices in the surgical procedures, neurology and neurosurgery, and extracorporeal treatments areas.

On November 25, 2022, the Treatment Council (Behandlingsråd) announced the third topic selected for major analyses (større analyser) for 2023. The selected topic is regarding the non-invasive treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

On December 6, 2022, the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) presented an updated draft version (7.0) of its general methods. The interested parties can submit written comments until the deadline of January 31, 2023.

In November 2022, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in England released one MedTech-related report in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal, which concerned SeHCAT (radiopharmaceutical) for the investigation of bile acid diarrhea. HTA Journal publishes research reports on the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage, and provide care in the NHS and informs National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.