Spain

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.

In mid-September 2018, the Andalusian HTA agency, AETSA, published a report in which they assessed the safety and effectiveness of the cardiopoietic stem cells therapy of secondary heart failure to myocardial ischemia.

In mid-August 2018, the Catalan agency for quality and health evaluation, AQuAS, has published a report that presents the results of the knee prostheses made by Surgival, a Spanish protheses manufacturer. The report covers the period 2005-2016.

In mid-July 2018, the Health Service of the Canary Islands, SESCS, has published a report in which they have assessed the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the endoscopic ablation by radiofrequency in antral gastropathy and Actinic proctitis.

In mid-June 2018, the Spanish Network of Agencies for Assessing National Health System Technologies and Performance (REDETS) has published a report which analyzes transbronchial lung biopsy using cryoprobes in diffused lung diseases.

In late June 2018, the Andalusian Agency for Evaluation of Health Technologies, AETSA, has released a report on the efficacy and safety leadless pacemaker.

On April 24th, during the last meeting of the Interterritorial Council, an agreement was reached to determine 22 new designated reference centers for the treatment of 14 pathologies.