WHO Introduces Digital Medical Device Information Platform

The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled an online platform to help governments, regulators, and medical device users with their product selection, procurement, and utilization decisions. MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System) is reportedly the first global open access clearing house for information on medical devices used for diagnostics, testing and treatment.
 
The MeDevIS platform includes 2,301 types of medical devices used for a plethora of health issues, including reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health; noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes; as well as infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
 
“The number of medical technologies used in healthcare is growing, as is their complexity, which can make it challenging for healthcare practitioners and patients to navigate,” said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products. “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”.
 
More than 10,000 different medical devices worldwide are used for disease prevention, diagnostics, or treatment, and rehabilitation. These products run the gamut in complexity, ranging from relatively simple items like pulse oximeters, digital thermometers, single-use syringes and medical masks to more complex devices—diagnostic laboratory tests, electrocardiograms, endoscopes, all imaging radiology technologies, and technologies used for treatments such as hemodialysis units and defibrillators, implantable prothesis, cardiac stents, and radiotherapy equipment.
 
Currently there are multiple, separate sources of information produced by major international organizations, regulatory bodies, and donor agencies, making it difficult for users to discern and utilize the most reliable data, according to WHO. With MeDevIS, users can check devices they require, including type, level of healthcare systems to support the device (such as community or specialized hospitals), the product’s scope, and infrastructure required, among other categories.
 
MeDevIS replaces a paper-based literature search across multiple publications with non-standard device names, which can be intimidating and too confusing for patients/users. Along with providing a single platform, MedevIS also aims to help simplify medical device naming.
 
MeDevIS references two international naming systems for medical devices: the European Medical Device Nomenclature (EMDN), mostly used in European countries for registration in the European database; and the Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN), used in regulatory agencies in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other member states. The naming systems include coding and definitions and can be used in every country to facilitate registration for regulatory approval, procurement and supply, inventories in health facilities, tracking, and pricing.
 
“The MeDevIS platform can be useful for national policy makers to develop or update their own national lists for procurement of health technologies and devices and can contribute to the progress towards universal health coverage,” said Dr. Deus Mubangizi, WHO director for Health Products Policy and Standards in the Access to Medicines and Health Products Division. “It can also help agencies in health insurance and reimbursement policies for patients.”
 
MeDevIS marks the first time WHO has developed such a global repository on medical devices, based on its experience with the WHO Priority Medical Devices List (MDL), which itself was based on the experience of creating the WHO Essential Medicines List (EML). Approaching its 50th anniversary in 2025, EML is regarded as a pillar of public health worldwide.
 
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 areas, including in pandemic and emergency settings.