Spain

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).

In December 2018, the Andalusian Agency for Evaluation of Health Technologies, AETSA, has released a report on the effectiveness and safety of electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves for treating chronic refractory pain.

In mid-June, 2018, the Catalan Agency for Quality and Healthcare Evaluation, AQuAS, published the Clinical Practice Guidelines for open-angle glaucoma.

In mid-November, 2018, the Catalan Agency for Quality and Healthcare Evaluation, AQuAS, published their evaluation of bilateral cochlear implants in children and adults. The authors provided a list of criteria a patient has to fulfil in order to have a cochlear implant prescribed.

In the middle of October 2018, the Andalusian Agency for the Evaluation of Health Technologies, AETSA, has published a health technology report in which they have assessed the safety, efficacy and efficiency of FebriDx® test.

In mid-October 2018, the Catalan Agency for Quality and Healthcare Evaluation, AQuAS, published the evaluation of efficacy and safety home-based hospitalization. The authors have concluded that it is a valid patient care option.