Authors' recommendations: Obsolescence in health technology is an issue that needs to be addressed, not only to contain costs but also to increase the safety, efficacy, comparative effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of health care that is delivered to patients. By shifting paradigms from the screening of prospective technologies to the examination and reassessment of the product life cycle of all technologies, a tentative equilibrium can be reached in the flow of health care technology. An examination of this equilibrium will reveal challenges such as differentiating between complementary versus substitute treatment options; understanding the medical necessity for, and the appropriateness of, certain tests and therapies; and creating specific mechanisms for reassessments and the subsequent decommissioning of certain health care technologies.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/494_Reassessment_of_HT_Obsolescence_and_Waste_tr_e.pdf

Year Published: 2009

URL for published report: http://www.cadth.ca/index.php/en/hta/reports-publications/search/publication/946

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health