Norway

On the 30th of May of 2018, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) has published a report regarding effectiveness of shunt treatment for persons with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus, which was earlier commissioned to NIPH by My treatment choices platform with the purpose to find and summarize key findings from systematic reviews about the effects of shunts in the treatment of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

The report “Development Trend 2018” will help to provide a basis for analyzing the environment for eHealth and creating a frame of reference for understanding the eHealth development.

Ninety-two new codes have been implemented, including protein fractions and reproductive medicine tests.

Applications for creation of new codes, removal of code or changes to existing codes and code description can be submitted by the Norwegian Directorate of Health.

Since January 1, 2018, responsibility for managing the product regulations for medical devices is transferred from the Norwegian Directorate of Health to the Norwegian Medicines Agency.

The current guideline replaces the previous version of the document of 2010. The Norwegian Directorate of Health decided to update the guideline because new methods of treatment and rehabilitation of stroke became avaliable in recent years.

Patients should not pay anything other than regulated out-of-pocket payments when they visit general practitioner or other healthcare professional, who have contract with public health authorities.

In June of 2017, the Ordering Forum RHF commissioned rapid method assessment for the Prosigna test. Only when the Norwegian Institute of Public Health receives documentation from the suppliers they carry out a quick method assessment. On 16th of the October, suppliers were requested to submit data to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) regarding clinical efficacy, safety and economics of Prosigna test.

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a new minimally invasive method for the ablation of tumors. Currently, this method is not used in Norway. The conclusion of mini-HTA stated that IRE should be included as part of the routine clinical practice in the hospital.

New procedure codes will be created for stem cell procedures, extracorporeal techniques (including hemodialysis and CO2 removal), surgical interventions, including growth-controlling spinal correction, transposition of peripheral nerve, interventions on veins, and percutaneous image-guided procedures (including code for pressure measurement in coronary arteries and additional code for drug-eluting balloon). Classification will be enabled from January 1, 2018.

On 25th of September, the Norwegian Decision Forum of “New Methods” had a meeting to review several medical technologies and IVD tests. Decisions were made in relation to the introduction of 2 new newborn screening tests, prehospital emergency thoracotomy, aortic valve replacement using sutureless stent Perceval, and digital breast tomosynthesis.

All significant innovations in Norway should undergo either national or hospital-based health technology assessment within “New Methods” framework. Guiding criteria for prioritization of topics for assessments were recently formulated by the administration of the program.