Linking the regulatory and reimbursement processes for medical devices: the need for integrated assessments

Ciani, O., Wilcher, B., van Giessen, A. and Taylor, R. S. (2017) Linking the regulatory and reimbursement processes for medical devices: the need for integrated assessments. Health Economics, 26, pp. 13-29. (doi: 10.1002/hec.3479) (PMID:28139087)

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Abstract

Much criticism has been directed at the licencing requirements for medical devices (MDs) as they often result in a lack of robust evidence to inform health technology assessment (HTA) decisions. To better understand the current international decisional framework on MD technologies, we undertook three linked research studies: a review of the device regulatory procedures, a survey of current HTA practices and an empirical comparison of HTA reports of drugs versus MDs. Our review confirms that current device regulatory processes across the globe are substantially less stringent than drugs. As a result, international HTA agencies report that they face a number of challenges when assessing MDs, including reliance on suboptimal data to make clinical and cost‐effectiveness decisions. Whilst many HTA agencies have adapted their processes and procedures to handle MD technology submissions, in our comparison of HTA reports we found little evidence of the application of methodologies that take account of device‐specific issues, such as incremental development. Overall, our research reinforces the need for better linkage between licencing and HTA and the development and application of innovative HTA methodologies with the objective of securing faster patient access for those technologies that can be shown to represent good value for money.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Taylor, Professor Rod
Authors: Ciani, O., Wilcher, B., van Giessen, A., and Taylor, R. S.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
Journal Name:Health Economics
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:1057-9230
ISSN (Online):1099-1050
Published Online:31 January 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 The Authors
First Published:First published in Health Economics 26:13-29
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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