NICE recommends new tests to help diagnose asthma and a change in how medicines are offered.

The Dutch National Health Care Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland) published a position paper with results of 4-years observation of transluminal endoscopic step-up approach in patients with infected pancreatic necrosis. In accordance to this document the procedure fulfils the criteria ‘state of science and practice’. The method can be reimbursed within basic health insurance.

As part of its routine method evaluation, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) charged the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) with a benefit assessment of the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) compared to conventional methods of wound management in the inpatient sector in Germany. Currently, no restrictions exist for the use of NPWT in hospital settings. Based on the new evaluation report, the G-BA will re-assess the reimbursement status in the statutory health insurance.

In the second half of November, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new interventional procedures guidance (for hypoglossal nerve stimulation for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea and processed nerve allografts to repair peripheral nerve discontinuities).

The meeting Improvement of Patient Quality of Life and Access to Innovation: Two Priorities in Medical Device Evaluations was organized by HAS on 24th of November to discuss evaluation principles of medical devices in France with manufacturers. In connection to the meeting new and updated policy documents were released.

The Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre and the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Care innovation have signed an agreement to invest 6 million euros in the pilot project Belgium-Netherlands Funding of International Trials (BeNeFIT) for conduction of comparative, practice-oriented clinical studies which is relevant to patients, caregivers and policymakers in Belgium and the Netherlands.

In the second half of November, French HAS published new set of decisions for add-on reimbursement: four positive decisions for orthopedic medical devices, two negative decisions for coronary stents and two positive decisions for cochlear implant and kit for wheelchair.

The changes of the DBC package for specialist medical care in 2019 (RZ19a) will include pediatric oncology, proton therapy, and telemedicine.

Eight new medical procedure codes for obstetric, urological, gynecological and vascular interventions will be added to the Swedish Classification of non-surgical medical interventions (KMÅ) in 2018.

The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has published its final plan for the benefit assessment of motor-driven movement splints (CPM) after interventions on the knee joint and on the shoulder joint. IQWiG was commissioned with this task by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA). Two manufacturers and relevant associations had used the opportunity of commenting on the preliminary project plan.

Emilia Romagna Region announced the launch of two new series of documents, according to the new regional assessment framework for medical devices developed during 2017: rapid assessment reports and preliminary information reports.

Eight new surgical procedure codes for otorhinolaryngologic, colorectal and orthopedic interventions will be added to the Swedish Classification of surgical interventions (KKÅ) in 2018.