ABHI Discussion Document: Local Medical Device Formularies – Supporting Personalised Care and Patient Access
Topic : Position Papers Type : Briefing
ABHI supports the development of a framework for the creation of local medical device formularies, but would not support the imposition of a central list of named products. In this paper, we outline how formularies can be used to enhance safe, effective, and equitable care by supporting clinical judgement, patient choice, and access to innovation. We emphasise that medical devices, unlike medicines, are often highly personalised, and any move towards standardisation must preserve flexibility to meet individual patient needs.
The paper advocates for a value-based approach that measures success through patient outcomes and quality of life, not just cost, and calls for collaboration across clinicians, patients, industry, and professional bodies. Ultimately, we urge that formularies be designed as tools to improve care, not mechanisms that restrict access or innovation.