[Hospital-based health technology assessment in France: how to proceed to evaluate innovative medical devices?]

Ann Pharm Fr. 2014 Jan;72(1):3-14. doi: 10.1016/j.pharma.2013.09.002. Epub 2013 Oct 14.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Innovative medical devices offer solutions to medical problems and greatly improve patients' outcomes. Like National Health Technology Assessment (HTA) agencies, hospitals face numerous requests for innovative and costly medical devices. To help local decision-makers, different approaches of hospital-based HTA (HB-HTA) have been adopted worldwide. The objective of the present paper is to explore HB-HTA models for adopting innovative medical devices in France and elsewhere. Four different models have been conceptualized: "ambassador" model, "mini-HTA" model, "HTA unit" model and "internal committee". Apparently, "HTA unit" and "internal committee" (or a mixture of both models) are the prevailing HB-HTA models in France. Nevertheless, some weaknesses of these models have been pointed out in previous works. Only few examples involving hospital pharmacists have been found abroad, except in France and in Italy. Finally, the harmonization of the assessment of innovative medical devices in France needs a better understanding of HB-HTA practices.

Keywords: Dispositif médical; Health economy; Health technology assessment; Hospital pharmacy; Innovation; Medical device; Pharmacie hospitalière; Économie de santé; Évaluation.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Technology / methods
  • Biomedical Technology / standards*
  • Decision Making
  • Device Approval* / standards
  • France
  • Government Agencies / organization & administration
  • Hospitals, University*
  • Humans
  • Inventions*
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Pharmacy Service, Hospital
  • Technology Assessment, Biomedical / organization & administration
  • Technology, High-Cost / standards