Abstract
We read with interest the article on ‘Low-cost innovation in healthcare: what you find depends on where you look’. 1 It was interesting to read about innovation and the need to look for novel practices and adaptation, which are adopted globally to meet local needs. It is important to collaborate globally and share knowledge, expertise and skills to promote innovation.
In the UK and Europe, new products related to medical devices need to be CE-marked. CE marking is an abbreviation for the French word ‘Conformite Europeene’, which means European Conformity only. In the UK, about 50,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year and about 40–60% undergo implant mesh-based reconstruction. 2 Evolution and advancement in science and technology result in new meshes and implants. New products appear in the market once they have obtained CE marking. These products are used on human beings without evidence of any high-quality randomised trials, audits or long-term follow-up data. Hence, it is important that we understand that innovation, particularly of low cost, is the key to success in the financially constrained NHS and the rest of the world. We also need to work with the industry to promote innovation and advances in medicine.
However, we must understand that until we have high-quality evidence, any innovation must be used with caution and patients must be fully informed.