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WHO launches platform to improve access to medical devices

Posted on by darion

The range includes 2,301 types of medical devices for a wide range of health problems. Source: Photoroyalty / Shutterstock.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the Medical Device Information System (MeDevIS), an open web platform that aims to improve global access to medical technologies and devices.

MeDevIS was created to help governments, regulators and users make informed decisions about the selection, purchase and use of medical devices.

The portfolio includes 2,301 types of medical devices for use in a wide range of health issues, including reproductive health, maternal health, neonatal health and child health, as well as non-communicable and communicable diseases such as COVID-19.

The platform, which hosts more than 10,000 different medical devices worldwide – from simple tools to complex technologies such as cardiac stents and radiotherapy equipment – ​​aims to consolidate information and simplify decision-making.

Currently, information sources from many international organizations and regulatory bodies are scattered, which can make it difficult for users to navigate the jungle.

MeDevIS solves this problem by offering a single, comprehensive database where users can find detailed information about medical devices, including their type, required level of healthcare system, scope and necessary infrastructure.

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By replacing paper searches and custom device names, MeDevIS also seeks to standardize medical device nomenclature.

The document refers to two international nomenclature systems: the European Medical Device Nomenclature (EMDN) and the Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN), which play a key role in regulatory approval, public procurement and supply management.

This initiative builds on the experience of the World Health Organization (WHO) with the List of Priority Medical Devices, similar to the WHO Essential Medicines List (EML).

WHO is committed to continuously improving the MeDevIS platform, engaging stakeholders, and expanding it with additional technologies, especially in the context of pandemics and emergency response.

WHO Health Products Policy and Standards Director Dr Deus Mubangizi said: “The MeDevIS platform can be useful for national policymakers in developing or updating their own national lists for purchasing medical technologies and devices, and can also contribute to progress towards universal health coverage.

“It can also help agencies with health insurance and patient reimbursement policies.”