Gaps in the evidence underpinning high-risk medical devices in Europe at market entry, and potential solutions

How can the reform of the activity-based payment system (T2A) help in financing innovative health products?

In France, the short-stay activities of public and private sector healthcare facilities have been financed since 2004 by activity-based pricing (T2A). The principle is to allow for payment determined primarily by the nature and volume of activities. T2A has enabled a major transformation compared to the old financing system, chiefly for public sector facilities that used to operate under a general allocation, and convergence between payment methods in the public and private sectors. However, official reports and public pronouncements by many hospital healthcare stakeholders have also highlighted the limits of this method of financing, leading to several reform projects. With that in mind, round table 3 of the Giens Workshops, including experts from academia and/or hospitals, institutions, and industry, questioned the impact of the new T2A reforms on access to innovative health care products in hospitals. After scoping out the issue and drawing up observations, the round table proposed six general recommendations that would be avenues for improving access to innovative health care products for hospital service users.

Lessons learned from the RE(ACT) conference on medical devices for rare diseases

The field of rare disease therapeutics has witnessed significant growth in recent years, highlighting the need for diverse therapeutic approaches to cater to the unique needs of individuals with rare diseases. Rare disease therapies encompass a broad spectrum of interventions, including orphan medicinal products, orphan medical devices, rehabilitative therapies, and digital therapeutics, with the lines between these categories blurring. This paper covers the session of the RE (ACT)-IRDiRC Conference 2023 and delves into the landscape of orphan medical device research and development, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities in this burgeoning field. It provides a short overview of the different international legislations in the field. In addition, it highlights several exemplary orphan medical devices. The first example is an exoskeleton for boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, enabling them to maintain arm functionality and independence. Another example presented was an EEG device linked to an app detecting seizures in rare epilepsy conditions, which alerts caregivers to seizures in real-time but also facilitates objective seizure reporting for clinicians, aiding in diagnosis and treatment optimization. It also showcases the role of gamification and enabling technologies in addressing rare diseases, by showing a game designed for children with cystic fibrosis, and a telemedicine system for rehabilitation therapy. Both solutions aim to improve patients' understanding of their conditions and enhance their self-management. In conclusion, this paper underscores the critical need for patient-centric orphan and pediatric medical devices to provide therapeutic options for individuals with rare diseases. It highlights the impact of existing devices on enhancing the quality of life for rare disease patients and emphasizes the necessity for greater incentives and support for research and development in this field.

Research cartography of implantable medical devices in the three Maghreb countries: A comparative study between Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia

BACKGROUND

Biosafety and efficacy are essential aspects in the use of implantable medical devices (IMD) in several medical and surgical disciplines. To this effect, and depending on the therapeutic indication, the diversity of IMD imposes enormous evaluation strategies from their design through to their impact on improving the patient's quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

To elaborate cartography which traces back the research tracks published on IMD regarding the three Maghreb countries, namely Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, and this through laying emphasis on a comparative study in view of highlighting the similarities and differences between them.

METHODS

First, the research work was concerned with studies on IMD published between 2013 and 2023, which met the inclusion criteria, and which used the above-mentioned keywords on the four databases Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and PubMed. Second, the results are processed for a comparative descriptive study. In second, a descriptive and inferential analysis of association and classification to establish a research map on IMD.

RESULTS

Articles selected; 86 articles out of 1081 for Morocco, 70 out of 900 for Algeria and 136 out of 1303 for Tunisia. Unlike domains (P=0.014), the research methods used highlights similarities in methodological research (P>0.05) ranging from simple descriptions to meta-analyses for the medical sciences with an inequitable distribution whose high share in favor of patient-reports.

CONCLUSION

The design of maps raises a diversity of fields that concern medical and engineering sciences, while medical economic studies have yet to be developed in all three countries.

Assessment of quality of data submitted for NICE technology appraisals over two decades

BACKGROUND

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) pioneered the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) processes and methodologies. Technology appraisals (TAs) focus on pharmaceutical products and clinical and economic data, which are presented by the product manufacturers to the NICE appraisal committee for decision-making. Uncertainty in data reduces the chance of a positive outcome from the HTA process or requires a higher discount.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the quality of clinical data (comparator, quality of life (QoL), randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and overall quality of evidence) submitted by the manufacturers to NICE.

DESIGN

This retrospective evaluation analysed active TAs published between 2000 and 2019 (up to TA600).

METHODS

For all TAs, we extracted data from the Assessment Group and Evidence Review Group reports and Final Appraisal Determinations on (1) the quality of submitted RCTs and (2) the overall quality of evidence submitted for decision-making. For single TAs, we also extracted data and its critique on QoL and comparators. Each category was scored for quality and analysed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

409 TAs were analysed (multiple technology appraisals (MTA)=104, single technology appraisal (STA)=305). In two-thirds of TAs, the overall quality of evidence was either poor (n=224, 55%) or unacceptable (n=41, 10%). In 39% (n=119) of the STAs, the quality of comparative evidence was considered poor, and in 17% (n=51) unacceptable. In 44% (n=135) of STAs, the quality of QoL data was considered poor, 15% (n=47) unacceptable, 33% (n=102) acceptable and 7% (n=21) as good. Over 20 years of longitudinal analysis did not show improvements in the quality of evidence submitted to NICE.

CONCLUSION

We found that the primary components of clinical evidence influencing NICE's decision-making framework were of poor quality. It is essential to continue to generate robust clinical data for premarket and postmarket introduction of medicines into clinical practice to ensure they deliver benefits to patients.