Cancer

On July 15, 2025, the Ministry of Labor, Health, Solidarity, and Families published the instruction on the application for coverage with evidence development programs for 2025-2026. The instruction details the specific fields of research, the application procedures, and the deadlines for different types of programs (PHRC, PRME, PREPS, PHRIP, and PRT).

On July 9, 2025, the NHS Cancer Programme granted £14.4 million to seven projects through the third Innovation Open Call. The projects aimed to fast-track the implementation of proven, late-stage innovations for the early detection and diagnosis of cancer.

The new Swiss outpatient billing system, comprising the TARDOC catalog of individual service tariffs and outpatient flat rates, approved by the Federal Council, is expected to take effect on January 1, 2026. On July 15, 2025, the Organization for Outpatient Physician Tariffs (OAAT AG) requested pre-launch adjustments to this system concerning hospital emergency and non-physician services, combination therapy in cancer treatment, wound care, and pathology services.

In the first and second quarters of 2025, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (ZIN) published three coverage positions concerning the ENT, gastrointestinal, and in-vitro diagnostic fields. Two of the three decisions (Internal nasal valve correction for airway blockage and molecular diagnostics of the NTRK gene fusion in cancer patients) received favorable recommendations for coverage under basic health insurance.

On June 6, 2025, NHS England published an updated work plan for the development of Clinical Commissioning Policies for specialised services. Two new MedTech-related policies concerning interventional radiology were added to the work program, and none have been published since the previous update. The status of ongoing policies has also been updated.

In May 2025, Health Technology Wales (HTW) accomplished one full appraisal on advanced electrosurgical bipolar vessel sealing systems during hysterectomy. One Med Tech-related Topic Exploration Report was published on AMBLor for identifying low-risk non-ulcerated early-stage cutaneous melanomas.

In May 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published two new Early Value Assessments (Digital therapy for chronic tic disorders and Tourette syndrome, AI technologies for skin lesions) and one new Late Stage Assessment (Drug-eluting stents for coronary artery disease). Furthermore, three clinical guidelines were updated.

In March-April 2025, Health Technology Wales (HTW) accomplished one full appraisal of permanent implant brachytherapy devices for unresectable pancreatic cancer. Five Med Tech-related Topic Exploration Reports were published (on superior rectal artery embolization, glucose monitoring systems in neonates, gender-affirming surgery, telemetric intracranial pressure monitoring, tumor-profiling tests to guide bisphosphonate treatment in cancer).

In April 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released five Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned the evaluation of prognostic models of metastasis in colorectal cancer, assessment of e-Health platform for low back pain and the results of the “CONtact TrAcing in Care homes using digital Technology” trial. 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 NICE guidance.

In March 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released four Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned the results of the studies provided within the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS). 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 NICE guidance.

In March 2025, the Decision Forum for the "New Methods" framework made a favorable coverage decision for robotic-assisted prostatectomy, hysterectomy, and rectal resection in cancer indications.

In February 2025, the Ministry of Health and Care Services published a National Cancer Strategy for 2025-2030. The strategy outlines five key target areas with corresponding goals and actions. The target areas comprise pioneering cancer prevention and early detection, improving patient outcomes, enhancing user-oriented cancer care, increasing survival rates and longevity, and ensuring the best possible quality of life. The actions include the expansion of national screening initiatives, the accreditation of Comprehensive Cancer Centers, digital home monitoring, precision diagnostics, and the establishment of a national healthcare innovation hub.