15 May 2017 - The aim of this study was to review 5 years of activity from a new system devised by NICE, for assessing medical devices and diagnostics aimed at identifying and speeding adoption of technologies with clinical and cost advantages, compared with current practice in the United Kingdom health care system.

Between 2009 and 2014, 186 technologies were notified (46% therapeutic and 54% diagnostic). Thirty-nine were judged ineligible (no regulatory approval), and 147 were considered by an independent committee. Of these, eighty (54%) were not selected for full assessment, most commonly because of insufficient evidence (86%): there were uncertainties specifically about benefits to the health service (54%), to patients (39%), and about cost (24%). 

The remaining 67 were selected and assessed for Medical Technology guidance (52%) (non-inferior and/or lower cost consequences than current practice), for Diagnostics guidance (43%) or other NICE recommendations about adoption and use. Classifying technologies by two different systems showed no selection bias for any technology type or disease area.

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