The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System), a pioneering online platform aimed at revolutionizing access to medical devices globally.
This initiative marks the establishment of the first comprehensive open-access clearing house for medical device information, designed to assist governments, regulators, and healthcare practitioners in their decision-making processes concerning device selection, procurement, and utilization across a wide spectrum of health conditions.
Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, emphasized the growing complexity and diversity of medical technologies, which can pose challenges for healthcare providers and patients alike. MeDevIS aims to streamline this landscape by consolidating international information into a unified platform. This resource is particularly crucial for resource-limited settings, where informed decisions on life-saving medical technologies are paramount.
The platform encompasses information on over 2,301 types of medical devices essential for managing diverse health issues, including reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health, noncommunicable diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular ailments, as well as infectious diseases like COVID-19.
These devices range from basic tools like digital thermometers and medical masks to sophisticated technologies such as electrocardiograms, imaging radiology systems, and advanced treatment equipment like hemodialysis units and cardiac stents.
Prior to MeDevIS, obtaining reliable information on medical devices involved navigating through multiple disparate sources from various international organizations and regulatory bodies. This complexity often hindered effective decision-making and resource allocation. MeDevIS addresses this by offering a centralized platform where users can access detailed device specifications, compatibility with different healthcare settings, and necessary infrastructure requirements.
One of MeDevIS’s innovations is the integration of two international naming systems for medical devices: the European Medical Device Nomenclature (EMDN) and the Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN).
These systems provide standardized coding and definitions, facilitating device registration, regulatory approvals, procurement, inventory management, and pricing across countries.
Dr. Deus Mubangizi, WHO Director for Health Products Policy and Standards, highlighted the platform’s potential to support national policy-makers in developing procurement strategies aligned with universal health coverage goals. Moreover, MeDevIS is expected to aid health insurance agencies and reimbursement policies, ultimately benefiting patient care worldwide.
Drawing from WHO’s expertise in managing the Essential Medicines List (EML), MeDevIS aims to become a cornerstone in global health by improving accessibility to essential medical technologies. As WHO prepares to celebrate the EML’s 50th anniversary in 2025, MeDevIS signifies a significant step towards enhancing healthcare delivery and supporting public health initiatives globally.
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