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News and blog posts

03
Jul 2020

Endovenous cyanoacrylate closure system in lower limb varicose veins assessed in Spain

The Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII) in Spain analyzed the effectiveness and safety of the endovenous ablation of varicose saphenous veins with cyanoacrylate closure system in patients with moderate to severe chronic venous insufficiency compared to surgical procedures, as of saphenous vein stripping, and other endovenous ablation techniques. In the report, published on the website in 2020, it was outlined that despite the limitations found in selected studies, intravenous sealing with cyanoacrylates seems to be a promising alternative to existing treatments, especially in terms of less use of anesthesia and compression bandage, as well as shorter recovery time.
02
Jul 2020

Two new health apps - Guardian Connect and icompanion joined mHealthBelgium

In June 2020, two new apps entered the level 1 of the mHealthBelgium validation pyramid. Guardian Connect smartphone application is a component of the Guardian Connect Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system for diabetes management. The icompanion software is a decision-making tool that helps physicians to choose medication for patients with multiple sclerosis.
29
Jun 2020

New coverage decisions in Switzerland

On June 23, 2020, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) announced several changes in the coverage of benefits that will take place soon. They regard transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), adjustments in the List of Aids (EMAp/MiGeL) (including reimbursement for CPAP devices and mechanical ventilation at home, and adjustments in the List of Analyses (AL/EA).
29
Jun 2020

MTRC released report about Med Tech and IVD health technology assessment (HTA) activity in Europe in 2019

The report summarizes information about HTA activity in 12 European countries (+EUnetHTA), including 51 HTA organizations. Data for all non-pharmaceutical published HTAs in 2019 are reported. In total, 256 reports are reported (in 2018, 337 reports were released by the same organizations). The largest number of reports were published in England (108 reports, 42%), Sweden (34 reports, 13%) and Spain (26 reports, 10%). All reports are classified using 31 technological groups. The most common types of technologies covered by HTA reports were in-vitro diagnostic (38 reports, 15%) and cardiovascular (25 reports, 10%) ones.
26
Jun 2020

The reimbursement of COVID-19 PCR testing to be reduced in Germany

The reimbursement for PCR tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 will be reduced from €59.00 to €39.40 per test starting from July 1, 2020, and the billing of the examination will be limited to five times in the case of treatment. This decision was made by the extended evaluation committee on June 10, 2020.
25
Jun 2020

Devices and apps for people with cystic fibrosis

From June 2020, NHS England will provide patients with cystic fibrosis and those recovering from coronavirus with devices and apps so physicians can track their condition remotely as part of the NHS drive to deliver connected, assisted, personalized care to more individuals in their own homes.
24
Jun 2020

Consultations on highly specialized medical treatments ongoing in Switzerland

The Swiss cantons are required to jointly draw up a plan for the provision of highly specialized medical treatments (MHS). Until September 2020, the Conference of Cantonal Health Directors is discussing whether complex gynecological tumors, pediatric oncology, bariatric surgery, highly specialized pediatric surgery, and other areas of care should enter the MHS.
23
Jun 2020

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of several conditions assessed in Spain

In 2019, the Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII) assessed the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the treatment of fibromyalgia, peripheral vascular disease, neurological disease, and others. The report was published online in 2020. The previous assessment, performed in 2018, was related to the use of HBOT in patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
22
Jun 2020

Magnetic resonance image-guided radiotherapy assessed in Swedish Västra Götaland region

In the middle of May 2020, Västra Götaland HTA-Centre published an HTA on magnetic resonance image-guided radiotherapy in patients with cancer aiming to assess whether the studied method improves treatment results compared to current methods. It was concluded that the new technique might be associated with a higher proportion of treatment sessions reaching target coverage goals and a lower number of treatment sessions with violations of organs at risk constraints. However, the extent of improvement varied substantially between studies, and the certainty of the evidence is low.