04.08.14
India’s Department of Health Research (DHR) is planning to establish a Medical Technology Assessment Board (MTAB) to evaluate new and existing medical technologies.
The MTAB will foster the development of medtech innovations that will help reduce healthcare costs, improve patient care and streamline the medical reimbursement procedures. Pharmabiz.com cites sources that claim steps already have been taken to set up the board and get it operating, though no specific timetable is mentioned.
An internal research group within the DHR recommended establishing the MTAB. After considering the recommendation, India’s government decided to create the new board to evaluate the need and cost effectiveness of novel and available medical technologies in the country, Pharmabiz’s sources added.
The government plans to consult technology generators, industry, regulators, economists, user groups and experts knowledgeable about similar models from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Thailand and other countries before establishing the MTAB. The new agency will be a part of the overall regulatory/promotional structure being established in the DHR to accelerate indigenous production of health products/instruments/medical devices.
As part of the initiative, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the DHR and the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom. The two entities are identifying areas where they can collaborate on and exchange knowledge about NICE regulatory (first phase) procedures. An advisory committee to set up the board has been formed and is functional, sources added.
A parliamentary panel also has called for early action in setting up the MTAB.
“The MTAB is proposed to be assigned with very critical activities. However, the reply of the Department does not indicate any time frame within which the MTAB would become functional. A timeline may be fixed for completing the task,” the panel said.
The MTAB will foster the development of medtech innovations that will help reduce healthcare costs, improve patient care and streamline the medical reimbursement procedures. Pharmabiz.com cites sources that claim steps already have been taken to set up the board and get it operating, though no specific timetable is mentioned.
An internal research group within the DHR recommended establishing the MTAB. After considering the recommendation, India’s government decided to create the new board to evaluate the need and cost effectiveness of novel and available medical technologies in the country, Pharmabiz’s sources added.
The government plans to consult technology generators, industry, regulators, economists, user groups and experts knowledgeable about similar models from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Thailand and other countries before establishing the MTAB. The new agency will be a part of the overall regulatory/promotional structure being established in the DHR to accelerate indigenous production of health products/instruments/medical devices.
As part of the initiative, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the DHR and the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom. The two entities are identifying areas where they can collaborate on and exchange knowledge about NICE regulatory (first phase) procedures. An advisory committee to set up the board has been formed and is functional, sources added.
A parliamentary panel also has called for early action in setting up the MTAB.
“The MTAB is proposed to be assigned with very critical activities. However, the reply of the Department does not indicate any time frame within which the MTAB would become functional. A timeline may be fixed for completing the task,” the panel said.