MTRC offers a new service of paid hourly consultations by the Director, Dr Oleg Borisenko. Normally, MTRC works on a project basis with a fixed budget. However, the format of the project does not fit all our clients. Sometimes, instead of a project, a one-two-hour consultation can be sufficient to guide the company in the right direction in relation to European market access, evidence generation and other related topics. MTRC now offers the possibility of hourly paid consultations with Oleg Borisenko, one of the most knowledgeable experts in European Med Tech market access. Read about typical situations for such support and conditions in this post.

We are happy to announce the further expansion of our HEOR Department with Sandeep Moola, an Evidence Synthesis Specialist. Sandeep holds a Master’s degree in Health Services Management with Honors Care from Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia (2006) and a Master’s degree in Philosophy (Clinical Science) in Evidence-Based Health Care from the University of Adelaide, Australia (2012), and he has a Ph.D. degree in Evidence-Based Health Care from the University of Adelaide, Australia (2017). Sandeep has extensive experience working for one of the world’s leading organizations on evidence-based medicine, Joanna's Briggs Institute in Australia.

On June 1, 2023, NHS England issued an updated version of the National Genomic Test Directory, which lists genomic tests commissioned by NHS England via Genomic Laboratory Hubs. Three new codes (test-indication combinations) were introduced in the Test Directory for rare and inherited diseases.

On May 25, 2023, the Dutch Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) initiated submission of applications for research into the effectiveness and costs of interventions (diagnostic and therapeutic) under the 2025 Incentive subsidy round of the Efficiency Research program. The deadline for submission of applications is September 5, 2023.

The “New Methods” framework invited interested parties to submit information regarding microcurrent treatment for anxiety, depression, and sleep problems before August 8, 2023. Ordering Forum will then decide whether the method will undergo evaluation at the national level.

On June 7, 2023, the Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) published the overview of thirty-five newly funded healthcare research projects. These projects relate to the two funding announcements of June 27, 2022 (changed on September 20, 2022).

On June 5, 2023, the application window for submitting applications for changes in the Swiss nomenclature of surgical procedures (CHOP), as well as for the SwissDRG system, was open. The deadline for submission of CHOP applications is September 17, while the deadline for SwissDRG submissions is July 17.

In May 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released two MedTech-related reports in its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Journal, which endoscopic radiofrequency ablation in malignant biliary obstruction and screening for ovarian cancer. HTA Journal publishes research reports on the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage, and provide care in the NHS and informs National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.

On June 01, 2023, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) announced the start of the application period for the evaluation of procedures and IVD tests to be included in 2024 HAS working program.

n the period of April-May 2023, the Galician Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AVALIA-T) initiated the five health technology assessments referred to IVD, nephrology and urology, obstetrics and gynecology, pulmonary and airways as well as surgical procedures technology groups. The assessments on stereotactic virtual navigation system for percutaneous puncture as well as tumor ablation and invasive telemonitoring of pulmonary pressure in patients with heart failure were released.

In May 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Interventional Procedure Guidance (intramuscular diaphragm stimulation for ventilator-dependent chronic respiratory failure from high spinal cord injuries), two new Diagnostic Guidance (MRI fusion biopsy systems for diagnosing prostate cancer, automated ankle-brachial pressure index measurement devices to detect peripheral arterial disease), and three new Health Technology Evaluations (Digitally enabled therapies for adults with anxiety disorders / with depression, and point-of-care tests for urinary tract infections). Also, four clinical guidelines were updated.

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Publications Digest. In a recent publication, Lavaste investigated the relationship between primary care provision and the uptake of voluntary private health insurance (VPHI) in Finland. By analyzing the data obtained from the national registry and incorporating data on healthcare provider proximity and reimbursement fees, the study reveals that sociodemographic factors (employment, levels of income and education) and patients’ preference are key factors in VPHI uptake and not the (dis)satisfaction with the care provision in public settings. Furthermore, proximity to private (but not public) healthcare providers supports VPHI uptake.