Medical
Devices Information System (MeDevIS) – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
News: The
World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the Medical Devices Information
System (MeDevIS), an innovative online platform.
What’s in the news?
- MeDevIS
is the first global open-access clearinghouse for information on
medical devices, aiming to support governments, regulators, and users
in the decision-making process related to the selection, procurement, and
use of medical devices for diagnostics, testing, and treatment of various
diseases and health conditions.
- This
is the first time WHO has developed such a global repository on medical
devices, based on its experience with the WHO Priority Medical
Devices List (MDL), which itself was based on the experience of
creating the WHO Essential Medicines List (EML).
- Approaching
its 50th anniversary in 2025, EML is regarded as a pillar of public health
in countries across the world, supporting health progress and touching
billions of lives.
Key Features
- Comprehensive
Database:
- Device
Types:The MeDevIS platform includes
information on 2301 types of medical devices used for a broad range of
health issues, including reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child
health, noncommunicable diseases (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular diseases,
diabetes), and infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19).
- Device
Details:Users can access detailed
information on each device, including type, intended use, level of
healthcare systems supporting the device, scope, and required
infrastructure.
- Global
Accessibility:
- Open
Access:The platform provides open access to
its repository, making it a valuable resource for stakeholders worldwide.
- International
Naming Systems:MeDevIS references two international
naming systems: the European Medical Device Nomenclature (EMDN) and the
Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN). These systems facilitate
registration, regulatory approval, procurement, supply, inventory
management, tracking, and pricing of medical devices.
- Simplified
Information Retrieval:
- Single
Platform:Replaces the need for paper-based
literature searches across multiple publications with non-standard device
names.
- Standardized
Naming:Aims to simplify the naming of
medical devices, making it easier for users to find reliable information.
- Support
for Policymakers:
- National
Policy Development:Useful for national
policymakers to develop or update national lists for the procurement of
health technologies and devices.
- Health
Insurance and Reimbursement:Assists agencies in
developing health insurance and reimbursement policies for patients.
Benefits
- Enhanced
Decision-Making:
- Provides a
single, reliable source of information for decision-makers, aiding in the
selection and procurement of medical devices.
- Supports
healthcare practitioners and patients in navigating the growing
complexity and number of medical technologies.
- Global
Standardization:
- Promotes
global standardization of medical device information through the use of
EMDN and GMDN.
- Facilitates
international collaboration and harmonization of regulatory practices.
- Improved
Access to Medical Technologies:
- Especially
beneficial for resource-limited settings by providing critical
information that can improve access to life-saving medical technologies.
- Contributes
to the progress towards universal health coverage.
Source: https://www.who.int/news/item/08-07-2024-medevis-platform-announced-to-boost-access-to-medical-technologies-and-devices