WHO announced in July 2024 that its online open access clearing house, MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System), is being publicly released following a consultation period with WHO Member States. The platform is designed to support governments, regulators, and users in decision-making on the selection, procurement, and use of medical devices for diagnostics, testing, and treatment of diseases and health conditions.
MeDevIS
MeDevIS is an electronic database of Medical Devices that was established in response to a 2007 WHA resolution demanding an “evidence web-based health technologies database” to provide guidance on appropriate medical devices according to the levels of care, setting, and intended health intervention. Member States, governmental institutions, public health bodies, and funding agencies can access priority medical devices lists and use them as a reference for national lists for procurement, reimbursement, and facility planning needs.
The platform includes 2301 types of medical devices across a “broad ranging” spectrum of health issues, including reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, noncommunicable diseases, and infectious diseases. WHO states that there are over 10,000 different medical devices in use for protection, prevention, diagnostics, treatment, or rehabilitation of health issues. However, the many different sources of information about these can make it hard to “discern and utilise the most reliable data”. With MeDevIS, users can explore devices by type, level of health care systems to support the device, scope, and infrastructure required, among other categories. It replaces paper-based literature search and aims to make the naming of medical devices simpler.
The platform draws on two international naming systems for medical devices: the European Medical Device Nomenclature (EMDN) and the Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN).
Navigating the technology landscape
Dr Yukiko Nakatan, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, commented that the number of medical technologies used in health care is “growing, as is their complexity”. This makes it “challenging” to navigate.
“We aim to provide a one stop shop of international information, which can be invaluable for those making decisions on life-saving medical technologies, especially in resource-limited settings, and to improve access.”
Dr Deus Mubangizi, WHO Director for Health Products Policy and Standards in the Access to Medicines and Health Products Division, hopes the platform will be useful for national policymakers to “develop or update” national lists for procurement, contributing to “progress towards universal health coverage”.
“It can also help agencies in health insurance and reimbursement policies for patients.”
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