Minister of Health Jan Christian Vestre visited Diakonhjemmet hospital on 15 October. He wants to ensure that the apps in work package 5 do not have to be CE-marked as high-risk medical equipment.
During her visit to the REMEDY centre, unit manager at EHI, Professor Nina Østerås, introduced Health Minister Vestre to two of the apps developed by REMEDY/EHI:
Happy Hands (for hand arthrosis) and Genus (for knee arthrosis). These apps are undergoing thorough research to ensure that they can provide as good or better treatment than traditional methods.
The Minister of Health tested the training program for knee osteoarthritis patients and expressed great enthusiasm for the quality of the app. He also brought an important challenge back to the ministry: Ensuring that apps like these do not have to be CE-marked as high-risk medical equipment, which is both costly and time-consuming.
In Germany, GPs have already gained access to similar "prescription apps" through a fast-track approval scheme, helping to make the technology more accessible to patients.
The REMEDY center continues to work on the development and use of technology that can strengthen the treatment of patients with rheumatological and musculoskeletal diseases in Norway. Read more about work package 5!
