Correlation of Recent HTA Decisions Between Taiwan and Korea: Implication for Launch Strategies.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) timing and decisions for recently launched products in South Korea and Taiwan, and to provide insight into launch strategies in these markets. We analysed all products that were assessed for reimbursement by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) in Korea and by the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) and the Centre for Drug Evaluation (CDE) in Taiwan from January 2012 to March 2014. Where relevant, the details of the assessments have been extracted from the NHIA meeting minutes, CDE reports and HIRA reports. Since January 2012,17 products were assessed by the reimbursement authorities in both Korea and Taiwan. 12 products received the same reimbursement decisions from both countries, while five products had divergent results. Of 12 products that received the same decisions, seven products were first assessed and reimbursed by Korea and then also reimbursed in Taiwan later, while only three products were first assessed and reimbursed by Taiwan and later followed by Korea. The other two products were assessed at the same time in both countries. Of five products that received different reimbursement decisions, two products were first assessed by Korea and Taiwan respectively, while the other product was assessed at the same time in both countries. Though the sample size is limited, these data suggest a possible positive influence of Korean HTA decisions on those in Taiwan. The average time difference between the Korea and Taiwan HTA assessments was 7.7 months, while Taiwan HTA assessments, on average, lagged behind Korea by 2.6 months. In general, Taiwan HTA assessments lag behind Korea by 2-3 months. This may result from a proactive launching strategy from manufactures, as HTA decisions made in Korea may have a positive influence on those in Taiwan.