Keeping pace with new technologies: systems needed to identify and evaluate them

Of the three major pressures on health services worldwide-changing demograp hy, growing expectations, and new healthcare interventions (technologies)-t he last is generating the most concern and the most dramatic responses, New healthcare technologies are becoming mote numerous, more expensive, and po ssibly more effective than ever before. About 50 new drugs are launched eac h year, and the number of new devices, procedures, and ways of providing ta re is growing all the time.