Norway

In August 2019, the Decision Forum conducted the meeting towards the funding decisions for new methods, where concluded that prehospital CT ("stroke ambulance") for early diagnosis and treatment of suspected stroke can be used within the framework of controlled studies with a sufficient number of patients. The protocol of the Decision Forum meeting was released on the website of the New Method.

In August 2019, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health has released an HTA report regarding the effectiveness of treatment for localized prostate cancer commissioned by the Centre for joint decision-making to summarize the findings regarding this method. The effectiveness of the several treatment methods is unknown due to the lack of evidence. There is little or no difference in survival after radical prostatectomy compared to low-dose-rate brachytherapy.

In August 2019, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) has released a single technology assessment report for molecular profiling panel – Prosigna aimed to investigate its prognostic accuracy, clinical and cost-effectiveness in patients with breast cancer. It was outlined that it is uncertain to what extent Prosigna contributes prognostic information that turns into better clinical results; conclusions about the cost-effectiveness of Prosigna cannot be made due to the lack of existing information.

In August 2019, the mini-HTA for Tendyne transcatheter mitral valve implantation system was initiated by Oslo University Hospital. The finalized mini-method assessment will be published in the National Database for Mini-HTA.

In July 2019, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) has released a report for the effectiveness of treatment for knee osteoarthritis to summarize key findings from systematic reviews about relevant treatment options to ease the symptoms in patients with arthritis in the knee. It was outlined that self-management education program and physical aids give little or no difference in pain, whereas noncompartmental knee arthroplasty is superior to total knee arthroplasty in pain.

The mini-HTA for internal emergency medicine ultrasound in patients with urgent medical conditions was released in July 2019 in Norway. The method was determined as efficient, safe, and was recommended to be introduced as part of the clinical routine in the hospital.

In June 2019, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) has released an HTA report for prehospital CT for early diagnosis and treatment of suspected acute stroke or severe head injury to evaluate the documentation for clinical efficacy, safety and possible initiation of treatment prior to arrival in hospitals, compared with current hospital practice. Although the mobile stroke unit care increases the number of patients who receive thrombolysis, its efficacy is unknown due to the lack of evidence.

In June 2019, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) has released an HTA report for TAVI in patients with severe aortic stenosis and intermediate surgical risk commissioned by the National System for Managed Introduction of New Health Technologies within the Specialist Health Service in Norway. The cost-utility analysis indicated that TAVI was slightly more effective and more costly than open surgery. These findings can help decision makers appraise the intervention against the official priority setting criteria in health care sector applicable in Norway.

Mini-method assessment regarding the treatment of lymphedema with lymph node transplantation after breast cancer treatment was initiated by Oslo University Hospital in June 2019. The finalized mini-method evaluation will be published in the National Database for Mini-HTA.

In Norway, the mini-HTA for above cuff vocalization for patients, who are not able to speak due to tracheostomy, was released in June 2019. The method was determined as efficient, safe, and was recommended to be introduced as part of the clinical routine in the hospital with further monitoring.

On the 7th of May 2019, the new evaluation for bone-anchored prosthesis has been commenced in a framework of New Method, which provides a way for a managed introduction of innovations into Norwegian health care system. The proposal for the assessment was submitted by Oslo University Hospital in order to receive an opportunity to offer this method to achieve overall money saving and medical benefits as nowadays, only conventional prostheses are offered, and patients are sent to Gothenburg to receive the treatment, that is financed by the Norwegian health service.

The report includes an overview of funding framework and all (as of May 2019) decisions from ultimate payers and decisions makers in England (NHS England, one CCG), Germany (G-BA), Netherlands (Zorginstituut Nederland), Norway (“New Methods” framework) and Switzerland (Federal Office of Public Health). More than 1000 decisions are included.