Innovation funding

In France, there is a fast-track pathway, which provides reimbursement within the framework of the prospective medico-economic study, aiming at demonstrating benefits to patients or reduction of expenditure of health care system. On the 19th of April, the French National Authority for Health published two opinions regarding the inclusion of two devices into innovation package - eCLIPS: for treatment of cerebral aneurysm, Nuvaira™ Lung Denervation System for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

In 2013, Norway established a framework “New Method” for the introduction of innovations into the health care system through either a national or hospital-based health technology assessment. In this framework, all innovations should undergo HTA before being funded. In April of 2019, the NIPH has released an HTA report for patent foramen ovale closure, antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy alone for management of cryptogenic stroke commissioned by RHF Forum. Based on this HTA, the RHF Forum will make a decision regarding further implementation of current treatment method.

In 2013, Norway established a framework “New Method” for the introduction of innovations into the health care system through either a national or hospital-based health technology assessment. In this framework, all innovations should undergo HTA before being funded. In April of 2019, the new mini-HTA regarding above cuff vocalization (ACV) was initiated by Oslo University Hospital. After completion of the assessment, hospital management will make a decision about funding of studied technology.

The Innovation Fund in Germany was created in 2015 for the period from 2016 to 2019, with the primary aim to improve health care for policyholders and patients in statutory health insurance (SHI). In March 2019, the governing parties have agreed in the coalition agreement that the innovation funding should be continued at least until March 2021 with an annual budget of €200 million.

On the 14th of March of 2019, the Dutch National Health Care Institute has opened a project submission period in a framework of subsidy scheme called “Promising care.” This scheme makes it possible to obtain temporary financing for a maximum of 6 years for those treatment methods that look promising but are not yet reimbursed from the basic package. The period for submitting project ideas for promising care is from March 14 to May 14, 2019.

The Swiss innovation agency, InnoSuisse, reminds that the deadline for the application for financing of truly innovative projects is May 20, 2019. The Swiss Federal Council has ensured additional funding of CHF 24 million for 2019 and 2020 for the “Impulse digitalization programme.”

The Academic Health Science Networks in partnership with the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) launched a report of the MedTech landscape aimed at accelerating the entry, adoption, and spread of innovations for the benefit of patients and commercial success.

The 13 innovations joining the NHS Innovation Accelerator were announced on March 5, 2019, as part of an event to launch the fourth year of this award-winning national accelerator.

On the 16th of February of 2019, the approval for financing of WISE CRT system in a framework of “forfait innovation” program was released in the Official French Gazette. This financing is provided for the 48-months period; it includes the amount of €25,600 and cannot be combined with other benefits. It is fully covered by the compulsory health insurance schemes.

Norway established in 2013 a framework “New Method” for the introduction of innovations into the health care system through either a national or hospital-based health technology assessment. In this framework, all innovations should undergo HTA before being funded. Currently, 13 ongoing mini-HTA projects are conducted in Norway: robotic-assisted procedures, microwave ablation, and tonsillectomy devices, among others.

The Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) wants to contribute to stimulating the right care in the right place by making it possible to deploy e-health applications more broadly. In 2019 NZa will examine the possibilities for declaring e-health with the focus on district nursing and long-term care. Also, a large part of the e-health projects is in the pilot phase and the Dutch ‘Care for Innovation’ organization developed a step-by-step plan for a systematic approach for e-health introduction.

Promising care must find its way to patients more quickly through inclusion in the basic health insurance. That is why the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has adjusted the promising care with the new subsidy scheme. Dutch Healthcare Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland, ZIN) carries out the scheme in collaboration with the Dutch Organization for Health Research and Development (Nederlandse organisatie voor gezondheidsonderzoek en zorginnovatie, ZonMw). The scheme will replace existing procedure with conditional reimbursement of medical technologies.