The Australian Department of Health and Ageing has approved Medicare reimbursement for the PillCam SB (small bowel) of Given Imaging Ltd. (Nasdaq: GIVN; TASE: GIVN). The PillCam SB had interim Medicare funding since May 2004, subject to data collection to review the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of the endoscopic capsule.
Given Imaging added that it developed the Australian PillCam database together with members of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA). The database includes 2,949 patients. This data set is the largest body of data ever accumulated on PillCam SB and the largest data set ever submitted to the Medical Services Advisory Committee, the committee that advises the Australian Federal Minister for Health and Ageing on the safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of new medical procedures and technologies.
Among the study's findings were an estimated average cost reduction of AUD 2,667 per patient in other investigational procedures including colonoscopy, enteroscopy and small bowel follow through in the 12 months following PillCam capsule endoscopy, as well as cost savings based on a reduction in hospitalization rates from 44.6% in the year prior to PillCam capsule endoscopy to 11.6% in the year post PillCam capsule endoscopy.
Given Imaging president and CEO Homi Shamir said that the obtaining of permanent Austrialian Medicare funding was an important milestone.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 15, 2008
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