[Support for innovation at the BfArM-experiences from the consultations on digital health applications (DiGA)]

Since May 2020, manufacturers have been able to submit an application to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) for the inclusion of a digital health application (DiGA) in the directory pursuant to section 139e of the German Social Code Book V. This new application procedure is based on specific requirements and assessment parameters for which a large number of procedural and scientific questions arise on the side of the manufacturers.In order to meet this need, the BfArM has specifically expanded its established information and advisory services for these new questions. This article describes in detail what these are in relation to DiGA, where the corresponding information and documents can be found and what distinguishes them in each case. Furthermore, with a view to the counselling interviews conducted between May 2020 and April 2021, their influence on the outcome of the respective application procedure for inclusion in the DiGA directory is analysed. This confirms that the early discussion of parameters relevant to the evaluation and the consideration of the advisory recommendations correlate with a positive evaluation result. For the DiGA listed in the directory, 80% of the manufacturers had previously received advice from the BfArM. The rate of withdrawn or rejected applications, on the other hand, was significantly higher if manufacturers had not previously sought advice from the BfArM in advance compared to manufacturers who discussed key aspects (63% vs. 35%). Overall, all sides benefit from the early, intensive exchange - in the end especially the patients through introduction of DiGA into standard healthcare due to higher application quality without delay.