Screening

In October 2019, the Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia (AQuAS) has released an assessment report regarding the scientific evidence on personalized population screening for breast cancer. The current evidence does not allow to recommend any concrete models for individualized risk prediction for breast cancer but allows to recommend the development and evaluation of new models for personalized risk prediction directed to offering different strategies to the screening of population.

On behalf of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) investigated whether a systematic test of newborns for sickle cell disease (SCD) in Germany would make sense.

In mid-September 2019, the report of the project OTCA19, titled “Screening for osteoporosis in the general population” was published on the website of the European Network for HTA (EUnetHTA).

On the 2nd of September 2019, the Austrian HTA body, the Ludwig-Boltzmann Institute (LBI-HTA) has released a report on guideline recommendations comprising screening for diabetes mellitus.

In late July 2019, the report of the project OTJA10, titled “Stool DNA testing for early detection of colorectal cancer” was published on the website of the European Network for HTA (EUnetHTA).

The test for severe combined immunodeficiencies (SCID) is part of neonatal screening since July 1, 2019, in Germany. At the beginning of July 2019, the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) has stated that health care should offer screening for the severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) as approximately two or three children per each year can be diagnosed and treated for the fatal disease with the test available.

In April 2019, the Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare announced the update of the common package of benefits of the Spanish national health system with the inclusion of cervical cancer screening, nipple and areola micropigmentation and update of orthoprosthesis catalog.

The colorectal cancer screening program became organized in Germany on April 19, 2019. Until now, only the breast cancer screening program was the only organized screening program. The Evaluation Committee has already updated the EBM catalog.

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 Interterritorial Council that took place March 4th, 2019, the Working Plan for the Spanish Network for Health Technology Assessment was agreed and published. The working plan includes 22 health technology assessment reports, 7 monitoring studies, 9 clinical practice guidelines, and 1 evidence-based product.

During November-December 2018, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has introduced an organized screening program for the early detection of cervical cancer and initiated consultation procedure for prostate cancer screening.

On February 5, 2019, the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) decided that in case of suspected infection or fever of unknown origin, positron emission tomography (TEP) will be considered mandatory services. Also, percutaneous electrical stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve (PTNS) was approved for incontinence indication. Furthermore, the reimbursement amounts relating to incontinence and ostomy materials will be reduced. List of Analyses was also updated.