Sustainability

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Sustainability Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Friedericy et al. assessed the environmental footprint of inhalation anaesthetics in Dutch hospitals and surveyed anaesthesiologists on practice patterns. A comprehensive 2019 bottom-up evaluation of anaesthetic agent procurement across the Netherlands was conducted. The analysis revealed relatively low greenhouse gas emissions, largely due to the widespread preference for intravenous anaesthesia and the limited use of inhalation-based techniques.

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Sustainability Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Ali et al. explored practical strategies to reduce the ecological impact of dermatological surgery in the UK, aligning with the National Health Service's commitment to sustainability. The review outlined key system-wide approaches, including reducing overall surgical activity through prevention, promoting research and innovation, and enhancing service management. The authors also highlighted the critical role of managerial policy, procurement practices, and supply chain dynamics in supporting broader national and international sustainability goals.

On March 19, 2025, the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) announced 28 new innovators (“Fellows”) with healthcare solutions awarded to join the program in 2025. NIA provides intensive, tailored support to proven healthcare solutions, helping to accelerate their adoption and maximize their impact across the NHS. Awarded innovations concern e-Health, in-vitro diagnostic, gynecology, neuromodulation, and sustainability.

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Sustainability Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Ali et al. explored practical strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of dermatological surgery in the UK, aligning with the National Health Service's commitment to sustainability. The review outlined systemic measures such as sourcing from local suppliers to cut transport-related emissions, implementing streamlined care pathways, and promoting responsible prescribing. It also emphasized the integration of environmental principles into surgical education and the optimization of resource use for consumables, equipment, and energy.

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Sustainability Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Vanderwee et al. introduced a pragmatic decision-making approach for healthcare facilities with tools to select environmentally sustainable alternatives to replace single-use options. A cross-sectional multi-center survey in Belgian hospitals was performed, followed by an exploratory analysis of the sustainability of commonly used healthcare materials. The authors developed a structured assessment method, combining real-world procurement data and literature-based evaluations to inform sustainable, safe, and cost-effective material choices.

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Sustainability Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Mermillod et al. estimated the carbon footprint of the Geneva healthcare system. The study identifies key emission contributors, highlighting medicines and medical devices as the dominant global emission sources (59%). When excluding these, hospitals emerge as the primary source of emissions (48%), followed by nursing homes and private practices. The authors outlined direct and systemic strategies for reduction, including optimizing prescription practices, energy use, and transportation. The findings provide a foundation for policymakers to implement ambitious carbon reduction policies in healthcare.

In late January 2025, the Nordic Initiative for Environmental Labelling of Medical Supplies (NIELS) project was completed. The initiative was aimed to promote greener procurement of medical equipment by expanding the use of eco-labeling. Following its successful conclusion, the project is now considering opportunities to broaden the dialogue to a European level.

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Sustainability Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Iakovou et al. conducted a systematic review evaluating sustainability initiatives in plastic surgery, analyzing data on carbon emissions, waste management, and procedural costs. Based on data from 15 studies, hand surgery emerged as the leading subspecialty driving sustainability practices, complemented by notable efforts in craniofacial, skin cancer, and breast surgery. Notably, effective recycling programs redirected an average of 39.6 tonnes of waste per month, and the average carbon footprint was calculated as 22.7 kgCO2-eq per procedure.

In February 2025, the Belgian National Unit for Health and Environment published a report on the Operation Zero study, which examines carbon emissions from Belgium's healthcare sector. The report comprises results of a study of country's greenhouse gas emissions, a roadmap outlining projected emission trends and proposing policy measures to reduce them, and implementation framework with concrete recommendations across several areas, such as renewable energy adoption, climate-neutral infrastructure, sustainable waste management, and greener healthcare supply chains.

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Sustainability Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Cimprich et al. discussed strategies of regulatory actors, particularly market authorization agencies, health technology assessment agencies, and health care procurement agencies, for integrating environmental sustainability requirements into the regulation of medicines and medical devices. Their analysis, contextualized within diverse healthcare settings, reveals significant untapped possibilities for strengthening regulatory frameworks to mitigate the ecological footprint of health technologies.

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Sustainability Publications Digest. In a recent publication, McCance et al. conducted a comparative carbon footprint analysis of disposable versus reusable surgical instruments in cataract surgery in the UK. Their findings highlighted the substantial environmental impact of single-use items, which had a 27-fold higher carbon footprint than reusable alternatives, with net carbon savings achieved after 19 or more reuses. These findings emphasize the necessity of integrating sustainability strategies into surgical workflows to mitigate healthcare's environmental footprint.

In February 2025, the Board of Danish Regions meeting was held. The key themes discussed concerned prioritizing public wellbeing and environmental sustainability, expanding cancer treatment capacity and funding, and the status of the Common Regional Procurement Strategy 2020-2025 (including “green” procurement).