27 February 2025

Shaping Our Future: Insights and Actions from the GMDN Agency’s 2024 Annual Survey

by Paul Wadsworth, Senior Communications Manager at the GMDN Agency

Did you know that over 300 stakeholders from more than 50 countries shared their insights with the GMDN Agency alongside several in-depth interviews with medical device manufacturers conducted by an independent third party organisation? 

We are incredibly grateful to all those that participated in our 2024 annual survey. The feedback we receive each year is instrumental in helping us shape our strategy and priorities for the year ahead and beyond. It also reaffirms our commitment and value that we place on the authentic two-way communication between ourselves as an organisation and our stakeholders.

Summary of the Survey

The survey included 28 questions focused on interactions with the agency, the usage of GMDN, and suggestions for improvement.

Key Insights

• Our members are satisfied: Across our six main metrics of customer service, communication, ease of use, perception, training and enquiries we scored an average of 4 out of 5.
• Importance in compliance: A substantial 74% of users utilise GMDN for pre-market and post-market regulatory purposes, underscoring its critical role in ensuring compliance.
• Preference for GMDN: If not mandated, 70% of respondents would choose GMDN over other nomenclature systems, reflecting strong support for its continued use. (22% chose the EMDN, 5% chose UMDNS and 3% chose the UNSPSC)
• High ratings for harmonisation: The necessity of a harmonised nomenclature system received an average rating of 4.6, highlighting its importance in the regulatory framework.
• Suggestions for improvement: Respondents emphasised the need for improved accessibility, frequent updates, and enhanced user support from the GMDN Agency.

How we are responding to our stakeholder’s feedback

Stakeholders suggested several areas for improvement in GMDN services, including cost and accessibility, code management and updates, search functionality, and enhanced user support and communication.

1. Code Management and Updates: 

Stakeholders emphasized the importance of timely and accurate updates to the GMDN codes. Regular updates and clear communication about changes would help users stay informed and ensure that the nomenclature system remains current and relevant.

Our stakeholders and their input form the backbone of our Database, and it is paramount that we maintain good communication channels. Whenever there are changes to Terms, members may be subscribed to, a ‘notification’ that is sent out via e-mail to alert them in real time. We encourage all members that they ‘opt-in’ to these notifications and check they don’t end up in your ‘spam’ or ‘junk’ folder.

We also have an ‘opt-in’ newsletter, which you can subscribe to, to stay ahead with news about the Agency and any key developments regarding the GMDN data set. To opt-in to these options’ login to your GMDN Account and please tick the relevant boxes in the My Profile page. My Profile can be found in the Account dropdown menu at the top right of the webpage (with the person icon).

2. Search Functionality and Enhanced User Support:

Improving the search functionality within the GMDN database was a key area for enhancement. Respondents requested more intuitive and advanced search options to help them quickly find the codes they need.

In November 2024, we introduced an Advanced Search function, which replaces the previous Explorer page. This new feature retains the ability to search GMDN Categories for GMDN Terms while adding new filter options. Users can now filter by IVD/GMD, include obsolete GMDN Terms in their searches, and choose to show or hide GMDN Term Details. Additionally, the Advanced Search allows for up to 1,000 GMDN Terms to be displayed per page, significantly increasing the efficiency of the search process.

Effective communication and support are crucial for user satisfaction. Stakeholders suggested that the GMDN Agency could offer more customer support services, including live chat options, comprehensive FAQs, regular updates, newsletters, and webinars to keep users informed about new developments and best practices. At the heart of the GMDN Agency’s engagement is our public-facing website. This digital space serves as a central hub for information, interaction, and innovation, providing the latest news and resources related to GMDN. With visitors from over 150 countries. The website has a comprehensive FAQ section, Training Videos & User Guides,

Additionally, this year we will be holding quarterly online training sessions to share knowledge and gather feedback.

3. Manufacturer Access to GMDN: 

Some medical device manufacturer respondents expressed a desire for fee free access to GMDN services.

GMDN Term Names and Definitions are freely accessible via our basic membership, enabling them to find the most appropriate GMDN Term and related GMDN Code.

It is important to note that the GMDN Agency, a UK charity and non-profit organisation, is responsible for creating and maintaining the GMDN Database.

The full GMDN is available at no cost to Regulators, Healthcare Providers, and Academic Researchers.

Medical device Manufacturers have the option to register for a paid membership to better manage their company’s GMDN Terms.

Paying for a GMDN membership comes with a host of benefits designed to help medical device manufacturers manage their company’s GMDN Terms more effectively. Some of the additional features available include:

• Advanced Search (NEW)
• My Terms
• My Categories
• Notifications
• Unlimited Enquiry Service
• Multiple Account Users 
• Data Download
• Access to Proposed Terms
• On Demand Training
• Workshops

Our membership structure is designed to ensure that no single member contributes more than 2% of the GMDN Agency’s income, thereby maintaining the Agency’s independence.

Other available medical device nomenclatures are also funded by membership models, governmental support or via taxpayers.

Thank you

As ever, we are committed to addressing these suggestions and continuing to improve our services to better meet the needs of our stakeholders and can always be contacted here with any questions or requests. 

On behalf of the global medical device community, we would like to thank our fee-paying members for their support of what is a critical piece of the global medical device regulatory infrastructure. Without their generosity this vital tool would not be available to all who need it.

Thank you once again for your invaluable feedback and support.