For the first time, from mid 2010, medical devices will be evaluated for use in the NHS
Article summarised from "The Gray Sheet" - December 21, 2009
Device and diagnostics companies should start thinking about products they would like to offer for evaluation by the NHS under a new program in the UK.
The program, called the Evaluation Pathway Programme for Medical Technologies, is being developed by NICE in the UK, with the goal of more quickly identifying and promoting adoption of innovative new devices and diagnostics.
NICE plans by mid-2010 to begin accepting applications from manufacturers who would like to have their technologies reviewed and potentially recommended for adoption by the NHS, the publicly funded health care system in the UK.
As an independent institute that advises Britain's health system, NICE has for many years performed evaluations of medical products and procedures, but has never before concentrated on devices or diagnostics.
To qualify for evaluation, devices and diagnostics must have a European CE mark, must be available in the UK or about to be launched there, and must not have had a previous NICE review.
Bruce Campbell, chairman of NICE's newly created Medical Technologies Advisory Committee (MTAC), says:
"Of most interest is whether the technology offers advantages over products currently used by the National Health Service, such as better patient outcomes, ease of use or fewer visits to the hospital. Other advantages might be the ability to treat a larger number of patients or a particularly disabling disease, or the ability to treat or diagnose people on an outpatient basis."
"Cost is also an important consideration", Campbell admitted. "Obviously, if the technology works as well as or better than the current technology and it's cheaper, that's good value for the health service."
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