MeDevIS platform announced to boost access to Medical Technologies and Devices
World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced an online platform called MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System), the first global open access clearing house for information on medical devices. It is designed to support governments, regulators and users in their decision-making on selection, procurement and use of medical devices for diagnostics, testing and treatment of diseases and health conditions.
Here are the key insights from the news release about the MeDevIS platform from WHO :
Purpose and Scope: MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System) is an online platform launched by WHO to provide global open access to information on medical devices. It aims to assist governments, regulators, and users in decision-making regarding the selection, procurement, and use of medical devices across various health conditions.
Coverage: The platform includes information on 2,301 types of medical devices used for a wide range of health issues, including reproductive health, noncommunicable diseases (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular diseases), infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19), and more.
Complexity and Challenges: The increasing number and complexity of medical technologies make it challenging for healthcare practitioners and patients to navigate. MeDevIS aims to simplify access to reliable international information on medical devices, especially beneficial in resource-limited settings.
Functions and Features: Users can access detailed information about medical devices, including their types, suitable healthcare settings (e.g., community or specialized hospitals), scope of use, required infrastructure, and more. This replaces the need for separate searches across multiple publications with inconsistent naming conventions.
Nomenclature: MeDevIS incorporates two international naming systems for medical devices – the European Medical Device Nomenclature (EMDN) and the Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN). These systems facilitate registration, procurement, regulatory approval, inventory management, and pricing of medical devices globally.
Impact and Benefits: The platform is expected to aid national policy-makers in developing procurement lists and contribute to universal health coverage goals. It can also support health insurance and reimbursement policies, benefiting patients globally.
Future Developments: WHO plans to continually improve MeDevIS by engaging stakeholders and expanding its coverage with additional medical technologies, including those needed in pandemic and emergency settings.
Overall, MeDevIS represents a significant initiative by WHO to enhance access to crucial medical technologies and devices worldwide, streamlining information dissemination and improving healthcare delivery.
Source:https://www.who.int/news/item/08-07-2024-medevis-platform-announced-to-boost-access-to-medical-technologies-and-devices
