PHP317 - IDENTIFYING THE CHANGES REQUIRED IN HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS IF OUTCOMES ARE TO BE OPTIMIZED IN A DIGITAL WORLD WHERE PERSONALIZED DATA AND PRECISION MEDICINE COLLIDE

Abstract

To identify the changes required in Health Technology Assessment (HTA) systems in order for digital health and precision medicine to deliver on the promise of significantly improving economic, clinical and humanistic outcomes (ECHO). Digital health is the convergence of digital and genomic technologies to enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery and make medicines more personalized and precise. A targeted literature review and a series of payer thought leader interviews (n=12, US, EU5) were undertaken to identify barriers to digital health with particular focus on patient-level real-world / real-time data sourced through digital monitoring, interventional disease management, predictive analytics and precision medicine. The analysis identified significant areas of commonality and differences between countries. Barriers identified included: The need for change in the roles of the physician and data in disease management; the episodic nature of payment systems and the funding of healthcare; and Payer and Patient willingness or reluctance to pay. Areas of value not currently incorporated in HTA assessment were identified. These included: cost savings outside the health system, reduction in uncertainty, insurance value, real option value, and the value of hope. Evidence sources are developing rapidly on the back of digital technologies, with the potential to offer deeper insight into the efficiency and effectiveness of disease management options. However evidence requirements of HTA are evolving at a much slower pace. Significant changes are required in Health Technology Assessment in order for the benefits of digital health and precision medicine to be incorporated and leveraged in decision making.