The Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN) plays a crucial role in public health by providing a standardised system for naming, categorising and identifying all types of medical devices. This standardisation facilitates efficient data exchange and collaboration among global regulatory authorities and other stakeholders such as healthcare providers, which is essential during public health emergencies such as pandemics or global vigilance incidents. By ensuring consistent and accurate data collection and analysis, GMDN helps rapidly identify and respond to safety issues. Additionally, it supports the early adoption of innovative medical devices, enhancing patient outcomes and accelerating the delivery of life-saving interventions. GMDN Database is a key element of medical device interoperability, accurately identifying medical devices is crucial for streamlining procurement, improving patient access, and strengthening healthcare systems.
However, despite the clear benefits of standardised medical device classification, many countries still struggle with fragmented, inconsistent nomenclature. This inconsistency leads to procurement inefficiencies, regulatory delays, and ultimately, inequitable access to medical devices.
Overall, GMDN is a vital component of the health data ecosystem, contributing to continuous improvement in global health standards.