The MeDevIS platform aims to increase access to medical technologies and devices

The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced a web-based platform called MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System), the first global open clearinghouse for information on medical devices. It is intended to support governments, regulators and users in making decisions about the selection, purchase and use of medical devices for the diagnosis, testing and treatment of diseases and health conditions.

The MeDevIS platform covers 2,301 types of medical devices used in a wide range of health issues, including reproductive health, maternal, neonatal and child health, non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, as well as infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

“The number of health technologies used in healthcare is growing, as is their complexity, which can make it difficult for healthcare workers and patients to navigate them,” said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products. “Our goal is to provide a one-stop shop for international information that can be invaluable to decision-makers about life-saving health technologies, especially in resource-constrained settings, and to improve access.”

More than 10,000 different medical devices are used worldwide to protect, prevent, diagnose, treat or rehabilitate health problems. They include many simple and complex medical technologies, from pulse oximeters, digital thermometers, disposable syringes and medical masks to various diagnostic laboratory tests and other medical equipment, including electrocardiograms, endoscopes, all imaging radiology technologies and technologies used in treatment such as hemodialysis units and defibrillators, implantable prostheses, cardiac stents and complex radiotherapy equipment.

However, there are currently many separate sources of information produced by major international organizations, regulatory bodies, and donor agencies, making it difficult for users to distinguish and use the most reliable data. In MeDevIS, users can check the devices they need, including type, level of health systems supporting the device (such as community or specialist hospitals), scope of the device, and required infrastructure, as well as other categories.

MeDevIS replaces paper literature searches across multiple publications with non-standard device names, which can add complexity. In addition to providing a single platform, MedevIS also aims to simplify medical device naming.

MeDevIS refers to two international medical device naming systems – the European Medical Device Nomenclature (EMDN), used mainly in European countries for registration in the European database, and the Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN) used by regulatory agencies in Australia, Canada, the UK and the US and other Member States. The naming systems include coding and definitions and can be used in any country to facilitate registration for regulatory approval, ordering and supply, inventory in healthcare facilities, tracking and pricing.

“The MeDevIS platform can be useful for national policymakers to develop or update their own national lists for purchasing medical technologies and devices, and can help advance progress towards universal health coverage,” said Dr. Deus Mubangizi, WHO Director of Health Products Policy and Standards in the Division of Access to Medicines and Health Products. “It can also help agencies with health insurance and patient reimbursement policies.”

For the first time, WHO has developed a global repository of medical devices, building on its experience with the WHO Medical Device List (MDL), which in turn was based on experience with the WHO Essential Medicines List (EML). Approaching its 50th anniversary,^t anniversary in 2025. The EML is considered a pillar of public health in countries around the world, supporting healthcare advances and impacting billions of lives.

WHO will continually improve the MeDevIS platform by engaging multiple stakeholders and partners and expanding it with additional technologies and devices used in various health care settings, including pandemics and emergencies.

Note to editors:

The MeDevIS platform became operational in March 2024 for consultation with WHO Member States. Following the consultation, it will be publicly available through an online webinar on “Medical Device Nomenclature: EMDN and GMDN” on 8 July 2024 from 14:00 to 15:00 CEST.