Health Technology Assessment Institutions Research Articles

The development of a roadmap for Health Technology Assessment implementation in Moldova

Abstract* Background Moldova strives for universal health coverage (UHC) and considers health technology assessment (HTA) an important policy instrument to inform the choice of services that should be covered to progressively realize UHC. It plays a key role in determining which technologies are coved, considering various dimensions often including cost-effectiveness, budget impact, and feasibility. This paper reports on work undertaken to develop a roadmap for HTA implementation, using evidence-informed deliberative processes (EDPs) as the guiding framework. Methods Between 2020 and 2022, we undertook several activities that informed the roadmap. We conducted a needs assessment and an assessment of European HTA best practices using a combination of desk research, interviews and surveys. We then conducted a document review of six selected HTA systems, complimented by expert interviews from three neighbouring countries. Results The roadmap provided a suggested HTA process, which included instructions on how to execute the different steps of the EDP framework to enhance the legitimacy of HTA-informed decision-making. The roadmap encompasses several aspects such as how to organize stakeholder involvement, how to identify and operationalize decision criteria, and how to make the decision process transparent. Guidance was given to the country on establishing a legal framework for HTA; a communication strategy; strengthening capacity and leveraging HTA expertise. The country was also given tailored advice on the positioning of the HTA-agency, first as an entity within the Ministry of Health or the National Agency of Public Health but with the long-term vision for it to be independent of any state institution. Conclusions Despite several challenges, including a partial disruption because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the development of the roadmap for HTA implementation was completed and agreed upon by the Ministry of Health in Moldova. This work has helped motivate and support the country in HTA institutionalization.

A situational and stakeholder analysis of health technology assessment in Zimbabwe.

Systematic priority setting is necessary for achieving high-quality healthcare using limited resources in low- and middle-income countries. Health technology assessment (HTA) is a tool that can be used for systematic priority setting. The objective of this study was to conduct a stakeholder and situational analysis of HTA in Zimbabwe. We identified and analyzed stakeholders using the International Decision Support Initiative checklist. The identified stakeholders were invited to an HTA workshop convened at the University of Zimbabwe. We used an existing HTA situational analysis questionnaire to ask for participants' views on the need, demand, and supply of HTA. A follow-up survey was done among representatives of stakeholder organizations that failed to attend the workshop. We reviewed two health policy documents relevant to the HTA. Qualitative data from the survey and document review were analyzed using thematic analysis. Forty-eight organizations were identified as stakeholders for HTA in Zimbabwe. A total of 41 respondents from these stakeholder organizations participated in the survey. Respondents highlighted that the HTA was needed for transparent decision making. The demand for HTA-related evidence was high except for the health economic and ethics dimensions, perhaps reflecting a lack of awareness. Ministry of Health was listed as a major supplier of HTA data. There is no formal HTA agency in the Zimbabwe healthcare system. Various institutions make decisions on prioritization, procurement, and coverage of health services. The activities undertaken by these organizations provide context for the institutionalization of HTA in Zimbabwe.

The legal path for priority setting in Chile: a critical analysis to improve health planning and stewardship.

Health systems have committed their path to universal health coverage using health planning to accomplish their goals of efficiency, equity and sustainability. Chile, a high-income country with a public-private mix health system, has made significant progress through several successive health policies implemented in the last 20 years which have been consistent with this approach. However, in the last 5 years, the national congress has produced several disease-specific laws, which have been mainly promoted by the civil society. These laws indicate the actions the health authority must perform to tackle the needs of the affected population, which ultimately determine the priorities of the health system. We argue that this legal pattern has become an alternative path to priority-setting, as opposed to health planning. We claim this "legal path" is a mechanism used by civil society in a context where the health authority fails to implement a robust and legitimate prioritization process. Although these laws have brought benefits to patients suffering the corresponding conditions, we highlight this approach does not guarantee improvements in equity, efficiency and health system performance. Instead, we advocate for taking back the control of the priority-setting based on health planning, through a new institutionalization of health technology assessment and quality of care.

OP19 Exploring The Environment/Capacity Of South African Citizen Actors To Contribute To Health Technology Assessment Processes, Policy Development And Institutionalization

IntroductionSeveral overarching health policy reform processes are currently underway in South Africa (SA), providing an opportunity to establish health technology assessment (HTA) and value-based assessment (VBA) frameworks that foster patient and citizen involvement (PCI). A mapping of the capacity, knowledge, and skill of SA PCI advocacy actors and understanding of the ‘middle-ground’ and influencing relationships that influence advocacy strategies for PCI in HTA, will allow us to determine the needs of PCI actors to entrench PCI principles in the emerging institutionalization of HTA in SA.MethodsAn analysis of national and international legislative and policy frameworks indicates current gaps and opportunities for PCI institutionalization in HTA in SA. A survey was conducted to determine SA patient and citizen advocacy actors’ capacity, knowledge, and skill across multiple disease areas. An analysis of decision maker’s opinions and positions about PCI in HTA and VBA policy, and their potential influence on the PCI process was undertaken.ResultsThe legislation and policy review indicate that engagement initiatives are positioned at the ‘involvement’ or ‘consultation’ stages of the engagement continuum, rather than higher-level engagement. Five percent of patient advocacy groups (PAGs) interviewed have formalized PCI HTA advocacy strategies. Few PAGs indicated employing processes to actively monitor the HTA and PCI-related activities of decision-makers.The majority of PAGs stated that collaborative efforts within larger networks would generate more success, if they engaged in PCI in HTA advocacy. Over eighty percent of civil society stakeholders face capacity constraints, such as lack of knowledge of the legislative framework and theory of HTA, funding and manpower to engage in PCI. The majority of HTA processes undertaken by funders in SA do not actively include PAGs or formalized PCI.ConclusionsExisting legislative and policy frameworks do not include PCI capacity-building strategies. This is impacted by the lack of coordination amongst patient and consumer groups, the willingness of existing HTA structures to formalize PCI, and the resources of the country’s PCI advocate actors to influence existing HTA processes.

PP70 Mapping Of Health Technology Assessment In China: A Comparative Study Between 2016 And 2021

IntroductionThis study aimed to compare changes in the level of health technology assessment (HTA) development from 2016 to 2021, and to inform policies and decisions to promote further development of HTA in China.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional and anonymous web-based survey to relevant stakeholders in China in 2016 and 2021 respectively. The mapping of the HTA instrument was used to reflect the HTA development from eight domains. To reduce the influence of confounders and to compare the mapping outcomes between 2016 and 2021 groups, we performed 1:1 propensity score matching methodology in this study. Univariate analysis was performed to compare the differences in these two groups. We also compared the overall results with that of a mapping study that included ten countries.ResultsA total of 212 and 255 respondents completed the survey in 2016 and 2021 respectively. After propensity score matching methodology, 183 cases from the 2016 group and 2021 group were matched. Overall, the mean score of 2021 in most of the domains was higher than in 2016 in China (p < 0.05), matching the level of HTA institutionalization and dissemination strategy, except for the assessment domain. Although China scored significantly lower among the three developed countries, the overall HTA development score for China was comparable among the ten countries.ConclusionsOur study suggested the level of HTA development in China has made great progress from 2016 to 2021. Prior to HTA activities, the researcher or policy makers should first formulate an explicit assessment goal and scope, and during the assessment process, more attention should be paid to the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness indicator to ensure a higher quality of HTA evidence.

Factors influencing institutionalization of health technology assessment in Kenya

BackgroundThere is a global interest in institutionalizing health technology assessment (HTA) as an approach for explicit healthcare priority-setting. Institutionalization of HTA refers to the process of conducting and utilizing HTA as a normative practice for guiding resource allocation decisions within the health system. In this study, we aimed to examine the factors that were influencing institutionalization of HTA in Kenya.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative case study using document reviews and in-depth interviews with 30 participants involved in the HTA institutionalization process in Kenya. We used a thematic approach to analyze the data.ResultsWe found that institutionalization of HTA in Kenya was being supported by factors such as establishment of organizational structures for HTA; availability of legal frameworks and policies on HTA; increasing availability of awareness creation and capacity-building initiatives for HTA; policymakers’ interests in universal health coverage and optimal allocation of resources; technocrats’ interests in evidence-based processes; presence of international collaboration for HTA; and lastly, involvement of bilateral agencies. On the other hand, institutionalization of HTA was being undermined by limited availability of skilled human resources, financial resources, and information resources for HTA; lack of HTA guidelines and decision-making frameworks; limited HTA awareness among subnational stakeholders; and industries’ interests in safeguarding their revenue.ConclusionsKenya’s Ministry of Health can facilitate institutionalization of HTA by adopting a systemic approach that involves: - (a) introducing long-term capacity-building initiatives to strengthen human and technical capacity for HTA; (b) earmarking national health budgets to ensure adequate financial resources for HTA; (c) introducing a cost database and promoting timely data collection to ensure availability of data for HTA; (d) developing context specific HTA guidelines and decision-making frameworks to facilitate HTA processes; (e) conducting deeper advocacy to strengthen HTA awareness among subnational stakeholders; and (f) managing stakeholders’ interests to minimize opposition to institutionalization of HTA.

A qualitative study on the feasibility and acceptability of institutionalizing health technology assessment in Malawi

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of institutionalizing Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in Malawi.MethodsThis study employed a document review and qualitative research methods, to understand the status of HTA in Malawi. This was complemented by a review of the status and nature of HTA institutionalization in selected countries.Qualitative research employed a Focus Group Discussion (FGD ) with 7 participants, and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with12 informants selected based on their knowledge and expertise in policy processes related to HTA in Malawi.Data extracted from the literature was organized in Microsoft Excel, categorized according to thematic areas and analyzed using a literature review framework. Qualitative data from KIIs and the FGD was analyzed using a thematic content analysis approach.ResultsSome HTA processes exist and are executed through three structures namely: Ministry of Health Senior Management Team, Technical Working Groups, and Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) with varyingdegrees of effectiveness.The main limitations of current HTA mechanisms include limited evidence use, lack of a standardized framework for technology adoption, donor pressure, lack of resources for the HTA process and technology acquisition, laws and practices that undermine cost-effectiveness considerations. KII and FGD results showed overwhelming demand for strengthening HTA in Malawi, with a stronger preference for strengthening coordination and capacity of existing entities and structures.ConclusionThe study has shown that HTA institutionalization is acceptable and feasible in Malawi. However, the current committee based processes are suboptimal to improve efficiency due to lack of a structured framework. A structured HTA framework has the potential to improve processes in pharmaceuticals and medical technologies decision-making.In the short to medium term, HTA capacity building should focus on generating demand and increasing capacity in cost-effectiveness assessments. Country-specific assessments should precede HTA institutionalization as well as recommendations for new technology adoptions.

PP82 First Educational Trainings According To New Health Technology Assessment Guideline For Medicines In Ukraine

IntroductionThe success of the health technology assessment (HTA) implementation depends on the level of communication efficiency between all stakeholders. Taking this into consideration, the leading HTA experts of HTA Department of State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine launched the new educational initiative which includes training programs for pharmaceutical companies.MethodsСomprehensive review of the first developed HTA training programs based on the HTA Guideline (Number 593) “The state health technology assessment for medicines” approved on 29 March 2021 was conducted.ResultsLeading HTA experts of the HTA Department developed a training program, which was conducted for industry representatives according to the provisions of the HTA Guideline. In 2021 over twelve training sessions and two webinars were conducted. These learning events reflect harmonized international recommendations and approaches to HTA training programs, The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research, ISPOR short courses in particular, European Network for Health Technology Assessment (EUnetHTA), The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System (AOTMiT) guidelines. Two-hour webinars were aimed at giving theoretical and practical bases for building a Markov model with the help of Excel and TreeAge Software. Training sessions titled “HTA as a tool for assessing the value of health technology” differ by duration (7-hour, 4-hour, 3-hour) and cover core topics adapted to the needs of the audience. The main program components include HTA Roadmap in Ukraine, clinical section, economic section and practical case studies of building a Markov model. All training options included questionnaires at the beginning and i end to assess the quality of each program. Questionnaires are the tool that gives presenters the possibility to trace progress and transform the training material accordingly.ConclusionsDevelopment of extended capacity building programs in HTA for users and doers is highly prospective for further steps in HTA institutionalization in Ukraine.

Capacity Building for Health Technology Assessment in Jordan: Institutionalization and Its Use in Pricing and Reimbursement Decisions

ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe the process of the institutionalization of health technology assessment (HTA) in Jordan. In particular, this study presents local policy perspectives on capacity building for HTA and the progress made toward its use in pricing and reimbursement decisions. HTA capacity buildingUniversity-based education and professional development training in pharmacoeconomics and pharmaceutical policy have been the starting points to create a receptive environment, necessary expertise, and local tools across many settings in Jordan. International collaboration with HTA supporting bodies helped to build connections and informed policy development on local levels through projects, meetings, and discussions. HTA institutionalization and its use in pricing and reimbursement decisionsInstitutionalizing HTA in the King Hussein Cancer Center and the Royal Medical Services was the driving factor for HTA implementation and practice advancement; nevertheless, process transparency and experience sharing through reports and publications are still limited. The Jordan Food and Drug Administration’s pricing and formulary decisions require pharmacoeconomic consultation in selected cases according to the Jordanian Drug Law. Nevertheless, there is a lack of local methodological guidelines for conducting HTA. In addition, HTA practitioners and the regulatory scope of future HTA activities in Jordan cannot be determined yet. Recommendations and future directionsOver the past 2 decades, Jordan has crossed a number of milestones and advanced further to implement HTA as a tool for evaluating health interventions. As a next step, legislation is needed to mandate the use of HTA and to enhance transparency in decision-making processes.

HPR57 Health Technology Assessment and the Private Health Insurance Sector in Brazil: A Scoping Review

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) supports public policies in several countries. The institutionalization of HTA in Brazil began in 2000 at the Ministry of Health (MS) and had the participation of the National Regulatory Agency for Private Health Insurance (ANS). However, the public system and the private health insurance sector followed different paths in the consolidation of this policy. Different HTA processes in the country can generate rework, inefficiency and increase inequalities between the public and the private sector.

Health Technology Assessment Development in Vietnam: A Qualitative Study of Current Progress, Barriers, Facilitators, and Future Strategies.

Introduction: To make more efficient use of limited resources, Vietnam incorporated health technology assessment (HTA) into the decision-making process for the health insurance benefit package in 2014. We evaluated progress in HTA institutionalization in Vietnam based on the theoretical framework developed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program, identified negative and conducive factors for HTA development, and finally suggested policy recommendations that fit the Vietnamese context. Methods: Semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted between December 2017 and March and April 2018 with a purposive sample of 24 stakeholders involved in decision-making for health insurance reimbursement. We employed thematic analysis to examine themes within the data. Results: Despite a variety of activities (e.g., training and advising/mentoring) and a substantial level of output (e.g., policy statements, focal points assigned, and case studies/demonstration projects), Vietnam has not yet reached the policy decision stage based on HTA with scientific integrity and active stakeholder participation. Most respondents, except some clinicians, supported the use of HTA. The lack of capacity of human resources in the government sector and academia, the limited data infrastructure, the absence of guidelines, the government’s interest in immediate budget-saving, and public resistance were identified as barriers to the advancement of HTA. Conclusions: A structured data repository, guidelines based on the Vietnamese context for both policy decision-making at the central level and daily clinical decision-making at the micro-level, and integration of a participatory process into HTA are suggested as priorities for HTA institutionalization in Vietnam.

PNS79 Milestones for HTA Institutionalization in Ukraine Due to International Practice

The health technology assessment (HTA) is carried out by independent expert bodies in most EU countries, the ultimate goal of which is to support evidence-based decision making. In January 2019, the HTA Department at the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (MoH) was established. The study aimed to provide review of new legislation for HTA function in Ukraine. Comprehensive review of the new legislation for HTA in 2020. On 23 December, 2020 the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the Decree No1300 “On the approval of the procedure for the state health technology assessment”. The Decree defined measures needed to establish an independent body for state HTA in the form of a state commercial unitary enterprise till January 1, 2022. The Decree concerns HTA for new medicines aimed for inclusion on the regulatory lists such as National List of Essential Medicines, central procurement programs and consequently requires approval of corresponding HTA guidelines. It is stated that HTA for medical devices will be introduced from January 1, 2022. The Decree provides the procedure of primary and specialized expertise of the dossier submitted by the pharmaceutical company with the development of conclusion with recommendations including options for managed entry agreements that will last up to 110 days. Decision-making criteria for selection of new medicines by MoH are defined in the legislation: results of comparative clinical efficacy (effectiveness), safety, cost-effectiveness and budget impact analysis, quality of evidence, organizational criteria, epidemiological indicators for a particular disease in Ukraine. The new Decree comprises the main developments and basis for update of HTA roadmap in Ukraine that will support the process and empower the transition of the HTA Department to the independent body with the aim of broadening patients' access to medicines and to improve allocative efficiency of spendings.

Future of Health Technology Assessment System in Iran: Necessity of Reinforcement in Both Scenarios of Continuation or Relief of Sanctions

Background: In Iran, health technology assessment (HTA) system dates back to nearly a decades ago (2008).
 Objectives: The current study aimed to define steps required to expand HTA in Iran by emphasizing possible future events related to the health sector.
 Methods: A preliminary list of future trends potentially influencing Iran’s HTA system was extracted through the literature review. Then, the trends were presented to 12 experts to obtain their opinions. Afterward, their influence on the future of the HTA system in Iran was investigated using in-depth interviews. The interviews were analyzed using the thematic analysis method; Initially, in three categories of capacity building, provision of HTA, and supportive mechanisms, and then according to the essential functions of a health system (i.e., control knobs).
 Results: Interviewees believed that strengthening the HTA system is mandatory, regardless of future political events. In the category of capacity building, adjusting training to the needs, using the capacity of graduates in conducting HTAs, training more students in the HTA profession as well as the establishment of a Ph.D. program, turning HTA into public demand, and preventing overuse of medical technologies were elaborated. In the second category (i.e., provision of HTA), the following themes were extracted: modernization and equipping of health system infrastructure based on the evidence provided by HTA, the legitimization of HTA to be used for all health technologies, preventing the introduction of unnecessary technologies and similar technologies that are currently using in Iran, and employing HTA in developing the basic benefit package.
 Conclusions: Due to international sanctions, Iran has a niche healthcare market. If sanctions continue, HTA would be a serious necessity to increase the resilience of the health system. In the case of sanctions relief, HTA is still necessary for the optimization of allocating resources. These steps, in both scenarios, are mostly related to the institutionalization of HTA, mostly on the legitimization of HTA and behavioral changes.

A landscape analysis of health technology assessment capacity in the Association of South-East Asian Nations\xa0region

BackgroundProgress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage and institutionalizing healthcare priority setting through health technology assessment (HTA) in the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) region varies considerably across countries because of differences in healthcare expenditure, political support, access to health information and technology infrastructure. To explore the status and capacity of HTA in the region, the ASEAN Secretariat requested for member countries to be surveyed to identify existing gaps and to propose solutions to help countries develop and streamline their priority-setting processes for improved healthcare decision-making.MethodsA mixed survey questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions relating to HTA governance, HTA infrastructure, supply and demand of HTA and global HTA networking opportunities in each country was administered electronically to representatives of HTA nodal agencies of all ASEAN members. In-person meetings or email correspondence were used to clarify or validate any unclear responses. Results were collated and presented quantitatively.ResultsResponses from eight out of ten member countries were analysed. The results illustrate that countries in the ASEAN region are at different stages of HTA institutionalization. While Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have well-established processes and methods for priority setting through HTA, other countries, such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam, have begun to develop HTA systems in their countries by establishing nodal agencies or conducting ad-hoc activities.Discussion and conclusionThe study provides a general overview of the HTA landscape in ASEAN countries. Systematic efforts to mitigate the gaps between the demand and supply of HTA in each country are required while ensuring adequate participation from stakeholders so that decisions for resource allocation are made in a fair, legitimate and transparent manner and are relevant to each local context.

Review of Philippine Health Laws and its Implication to HTA Institutionalization

Abstract Objective To identify the implications of health legislations on the direction of health technology assessment (HTA) institutionalization in the Philippines. Methods We reviewed 15 health laws and extracted information using a preset data extraction tool. The collected data was then subjected to the KJ (Kawakita Jiro) method to group similar provisions, taking into account their respective implications to the HTA direction. Once grouped, a core concept was identified that captured the underlying provisions within the group. After which, the core concepts were tabulated and matched with the core components of HTA institutionalization to identify specific policy implication to HTA. Results Three major paradigms emerged that are considered important in the institutionalization of HTA. First, common among the health laws are the need for the provision or expansion of benefit packages through the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Aside from the benefit packages, the reviewed laws also require delivery of new health services that entail the use of specific health technologies. Lastly, as a consequence of the need for new health services, equity concerns became evident in relation to the identified health services specifically in terms of socioeconomic divide, geographical location and disease status. Discussion and Conclusions The three paradigms identified from the review of health laws indicate synergism and antagonism to the HTA-related policy content of the Philippines' UHC Law. Some identify the need for HTA before being funded by the government while others do not explicitly state this. Despite the health laws requiring expansion or creation of benefit packages and delivery of new health services, there is still a need to undergo HTA in order to ensure efficient use of resources. The presence of these laws should not be tantamount to exception of undergoing HTA process but rather should be taken as a guide for priority-setting of topics for assessment. Key messages In the process of institutionalizing HTA, existing legislations on health can help map out areas of priority for assessment. Many health policies preceded the signing of the Universal Health Care Law, thus it is important to review them to determine provisions that are synergistic or antagonistic to the content of UHC Law.

Ethical and Social Values for Paediatric Health Technology Assessment and Drug Policy.

Background: Public policy approaches to funding paediatric medicines in advanced health systems remain understudied. In particular, the ethical and social values dimensions of health technology assessment (HTA) and drug coverage decisions for children have received almost no attention in research or policy. Methods: To elicit and understand the social values that influence decision-making for public funding of paediatric drugs, we undertook a series of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a stratified purposive sample (n = 22) of stakeholders involved with or affected by drug funding decisions for children at the provincial (Ontario) and national levels in Canada. Constructivist grounded theory methodology guided data collection and thematic analysis. Results: Our study provides empirical evidence about the unique ethical and social values dimensions of HTA for children, and describes a novel social values typology for paediatric drug policy decision-making. Three principal categories of values emerged from stakeholder reflections on HTA and drug policy-making for children: procedural values, structural values, and sociocultural values. Key findings include the importance of attention to the procedural legitimacy of HTA for children, with emphasis on the inclusion of child health voices in processes of technology appraisal and policy uptake; a role for HTA institutions to consider the equity impacts of technologies, both in setting review priorities and in assessing the value of technologies for public coverage; and the potential benefits of a distinct national framework to guide drug policy for children. Conclusion: Current approaches to HTA are not well designed for the realities of child health and illness, nor the societal priorities regarding children that our study identified. This research generates new knowledge to inform decision-making on paediatric drugs by HTA institutions and government payers in Canada and other publicly-funded health systems, through insights into the relevant social values for child drug funding decisions from varied stakeholder groups.

Addressing the challenges of implementing a Health Technology Assessment Policy Framework in South Africa.

South Africa's commitment to progressively achieve universal health coverage can lead to the effective and appropriate use of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to strengthen the healthcare system. The study aimed to analyze the challenges faced in the formal implementation and utilization of HTA in the public health sector. Review and analysis of health technology policies and legislation introduced in South Africa since 1965 serves as the backbone of this study. Walt and Gilson's health policy triangle framework and Kingdon's model were used for data analysis. In addition, a semi-structured survey was conducted among key stakeholders, including those attending HTA workshops that were held in 2016 and 2017. The document review identified appropriate legislative and policy framework for informing healthcare decisions. Survey participants (n = 55) reported limited political support, local capacity, and awareness of HTA as barriers to implementing HTA. They noted that adequate financial resources and availability and sharing of quality data are primary drivers for HTA development. Effective governance, collaboration, and cooperation between key stakeholders of the healthcare system were suggested as possible ways forward for the institutionalization of HTA. The South African government's goal to introduce the national health insurance program provides an excellent opportunity to formally introduce the use of HTA in decision making. Individual capacity development supported by institutional and organizational environments is urgently needed to achieve its full potential.

The link between health technology assessment and decision making for the allocation of health resources in Latin America.

One of the good practice principles for health technology assessment (HTA) is having a clear link between the assessment and decision making. The objective of the 2019 Latin American Policy Forum (LatamPF) of Health Technology Assessment International was to explore different models of connection between HTA and decision making and to discuss the potential applicability of such models in Latin America. This paper is based on a background document and the deliberations of the members of the LatamPF (fifty-four participants from twelve countries) where a design-thinking methodology was used. The participants agreed that insufficient links between HTA and decision making undermine the legitimacy of decisions, expose the HTA process to excessive political and judicial influence, and promote the exclusion of some stakeholders from participating in the assessment process and decision making. High priority aspects of the HTA process that could feasibly be improved and which hold the greatest potential to generate positive changes in the health systems in the region were identified. The majority of these aspects were associated with the appropriate institutionalization of HTA, a greater degree of participation by different stakeholders, and improved transparency in the HTA process. The LatamPF identified barriers and recommended actions to strengthen the link between HTA and decision making. Participants emphasized that there is now a window of opportunity in the region as many societal actors see this as a priority. For this reason, health system stakeholders must take this opportunity to increase efforts toward strengthening the link between HTA and decision making.

PNS259 NATIONAL HTA IMPLEMENTATION IN MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES, THE CASE OF JORDAN

INTRODUCTION: Health technology assessment (HTA) can increase the appropriateness and transparency of pricing and reimbursement decisions. However, Jordan is still in the early phase of its HTA implementation, although the country has very limited public resources for the coverage of health care technologies. To explore and validate priorities in HTA roadmap for Jordan and propose a draft action plan to achieve the preferred future HTA status. Health policy experts from the public and private sector were asked to fill in an international scorecard to explore the current and future status of HTA implementation in Jordan. Semi-structured interviews with senior policy-makers supported by literature review were conducted to validate survey results and set up a draft action plan. Key results were derived from 22 valid survey responses and interviews with 8 policy-makers. Survey and interview results confirmed the need for 1) increased HTA training, including shorts courses and academic programs; 2) gradually increasing public funding for HTA; 3) establishment of multiple HTA bodies with central coordination; 4) extending the scope of HTA to non-pharmaceutical technologies; 5) strengthening cost-effectiveness criterion with explicit thresholds; 6) improvement in HTA quality and transparency with methodological guidelines and published HTA reports and recommendations; 7) increased utilization of local data; 8) participation in international joint HTA work. Currently, HTA has limited impact on health policy decisions in Jordan, and when it is used to support pharmaceutical reimbursement decisions, it is mainly based on results from other countries without considering transferability of international evidence. Policymakers should facilitate HTA institutionalization and use in policy decisions by increasing the weight of local evidence in HTA recommendations.

How can we make better health decisions a Best Buy for all?

The World Health Organization (WHO) resolution calling on Member States to work towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC) has increased the need for prioritizing health spending. Such need will soon accelerate as low- and middle-income countries transition from external aid. Countries will have to make difficult decisions on how best to integrate and finance previously donor-funded technologies and health services into their UHC packages in ways that are equitable, and operationally and financially sustainable. The International Decision Support Initiative (iDSI) is a global network of health, policy and economic expertise which supports countries in making better decisions about how best and how much to spend public money on healthcare. iDSI core partners include Center For Global Development, China National Health Development Research Center, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program, Thailand / National Health Foundation, Imperial College London, Kenya Medical Research Institute, and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. In May 2019, iDSI convened a roundtable entitled Why strengthening health systems to make better decisions is a Best Buy. The event brought together members of iDSI, development partners and other organizations working in the areas of evidence-informed priority-setting, resource allocation and purchasing. The roundtable participants identified key challenges and activities that could be undertaken by the broader health technology assessment (HTA) community to further country-led capacity building, as well to foster deeper collaboration between the community itself. HTA is a tool which can assist governments and development partners with evaluating alternative investment options in a defensible and accountable fashion. The definition and scope of HTA, and what it can achieve and support, can be presented more clearly and cohesively to stakeholders. Organizations engaging in HTA must develop deeper collaboration, and integrate existing collaborations, to ensure progress in developing HTA institutionalization globally is well organized and sustainable.