For the first time in three years, the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) received data within the framework of the early benefit assessment of new examination and treatment methods (NUB) with high-risk medical devices according to §137h of Social Code Book (SGB) V. This involves seven invasive therapeutic cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, gastrointestinal, and urological procedures.

On May 19, 2021, Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) issued a review of spread and adoption approaches for innovations in the health sector. The study highlights the complexity of spread work, the diversity of approaches, the influential factors and provides recommendations for the future.

In 2013, Norway established a framework, “New Method,” for the introduction of innovations into the health care system through either a national or hospital-based health technology assessment. In this framework, all innovations should undergo HTA before being funded. As of June 7, 2021, five HTAs of in-vitro diagnostics are in progress.

On May 17, 2021, NHS England published an update of the Specialized Services Policy Pipeline (covering the period January 20, 2021 - April 20, 2021). One new Clinical Commissioning Policy related to radiotherapy was added to the work program, and four new policies related to radiotherapy were published in the period from January 20, 2021, to April 20, 2021. Two policies related to heart valve procedures and extracorporeal treatment were discontinued.

In May 2021, two clinical guidelines on male infertility and female cystitis were released in Russia. Furthermore, the orders on the approval of the several standards of medical care entered into force, including standards for the provision of medical care for adults with laryngopharyngeal cancer retroperitoneal sarcomas, endometrial cancer, and uterine sarcomas, etc.

In mid-May 2021, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) published an advice "Molecular Diagnostics: determining the position on molecular diagnostics in oncology," which was developed at the request of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The objective of the position is to organize molecular diagnostics within standard regular care and develop a framework for the accessibility and integral implementation of new tests in practice.

On April 29, 2021, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) HTA Programme opened NICE Rolling Call for first-stage applications that should meet research recommendations provided by NICE guidance published from 2015 onwards. The first-stage application deadline is September 01, 2021.

The application portal for inclusion in the Health App Directory at the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) in Germany has been online since May 27, 2020. The first reimbursable health apps were introduced on the Directory in early October 2020. As of May 27, 2021, a total of 74 applications were received, 51 of which for provisional listing and 23 for final listing. Fifteen applications (20%) were introduced on the Directory.

In April 2021, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published three new Interventional Procedure Guidance (repetitive short-pulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation for glaucoma, deep brain stimulation for chronic, severe, treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults, and Melphalan chemosaturation for primary or metastatic cancer in the liver) and two Medtech Innovation Briefings (microINR for anticoagulation therapy and RenalSense Clarity RMS for acute kidney injury), and two clinical guidelines (for atrial fibrillation and chronic pain in over 16s).

In April 2021, the Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA) initiated several new research projects. The projects are related to IVD tests for early detection of colon cancer, telemedical care in diabetes field, health apps, screening methods, consequences of coronavirus pandemic, and other topics.

On May 6, 2021, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) announced the start of consultations about the design of three co-funded studies for cardiovascular methods in accordance with §137e SGB V.

On May 10, 2021, NICE announced the update of the evidence standards framework (ESF) for digital health technologies with changes in response to an ESF user survey that ran from October to December 2019. Furthermore, NICE launched a new Office for Digital Health to coordinate its digital health activities and strategic projects and manage collaboration with external partners.