Spain

In July 2019, the Health Technology Evaluation Service of the Basque County, OSTEBA, published a report titled “Indications, utility, and use of ultrasound in primary care.”

In May 2019, the Galician Agency for Health Technology Assessment, AVALIA-T, has released a report “Diagnostic and clinical utility of cerebral amyloid PET in mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and other dementias.”

In May 2019, the Galician Agency for Health Technology Assessment, AVALIA-T, has released a report “Laser or radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of recurrent thyroid cancer.”

In April 2019, the Andalusian Agency for Evaluation of Health Technologies, AETSA, has released a report updating the map of genetic tests available in the Spanish National Health System.

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.

In April 2019, the Catalan Agency for Quality and Healthcare Evaluation, AQuAS, published a quick report with indication criteria for cochlear implants in children.

In January 2019, the Health Institute Carlos III published a report Diagnostic effectiveness and safety of elastography in oncology. An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis.

The Health Institute Carlos III published a report titled Analysis of the efficacy and safety of peripheral neurostimulators of the sphenopalatine ganglion for the treatment of refractory chronic clusters headache.

The Health Institute Carlos III published a report on efficiency and safety analysis of orthodontic-orthopedic devices for maxillary expansion as an alternative to adenotonsillectomy and/or pharmacological treatment for Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome.

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.

On February 19, 2019 the new “Catalog of Goods and Services” for the centralized purchasing platform was presented to the regional health authorities by the Minister of Health. This new catalog includes up to 25,000 items, including drugs and health products.

In January 2019, the Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs and Social Wellbeing of Spain has released an Order by which Annex VI of the Royal Decree 1030/2006 was modified. With this modification, the common catalog of ortho-prosthetic devices is updated with new products (wheelchairs, orthoses and special prosthetics).