Digital health applications

implementation of the DiGA directory delayed

Thu, 2020 / 09 / 24
According to official statements by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), the Directory for Digital Applications in Health Care (DiGA) should have been available at the end of August. Currently, however, the date of the final publication is still uncertain and a directory, or a reference to such a directory, is not yet available on the BfArM website.

According to unofficial reports, the directory shall be available online from the second half of September onwards. The BfArM has not yet given reasons for the delay or has made an official statement as to when the directory will be available.

This directory will list DiGAs that have already successfully undergone the BfArM's evaluation procedure and were able to demonstrate a positive supply effect. This will ensure greater transparency and present the utilisation potential in a systematic and comprehensible manner. In addition, it is expected that the fast-track procedure will also lead to a faster integration into the German supply reality. Information about the manufacturer, the product name and the unique DiGA directory number will be included in the directory. Further details are expected to assist patients in the targeted and individual selection of the DiGA or to enable a comparison of different digital health applications.

The novelty of the DiGA procedure is expected to trigger further agile changes in the future and it represents a new service area for the German healthcare system. SKC is closely following the further development of the fast-track procedure and is a competent and reliable partner for DiGA manufacturers on topics related to the assessment of reimbursability, benefit evaluation, and the development of reimbursement and price negotiation strategies for digital applications.

Soruces in German:

Author: Sebastian Marben, M. Sc.  

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