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Aryankhesal A, Behzadifar M, Bakhtiari A, Shahabi S, Azari S, Darvishi Teli B, Rezapour A, Ehsanzadeh SJ, Behzadifar M. Exploring the landscape of health technology assessment in Iran: perspectives from stakeholders on needs, demand and supply. Health Res Policy Syst 2024; 22:11. [PMID: 38225573 PMCID: PMC10789076 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-023-01097-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evaluation of health technologies plays a crucial role in the allocation of resources and the promotion of equitable healthcare access, known as health technology assessment (HTA). This study focuses on Iran's efforts to integrate HTA and aims to gain insights into stakeholder perspectives regarding capacity needs, demand and implementation. METHODS In this study, we employed the HTA introduction status analysis questionnaire developed by the International Decision Support Initiative (iDSI), which has been utilized in various countries. The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions divided into three sections: HTA need, demand and supply. To identify key informants, we conducted a literature review and consulted with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME), as well we experts in policy-making, health service provision and HTA. We selected stakeholders who held decision-making positions in the healthcare domain. A modified Persian version of the questionnaire was administered online from September 2022 to January 2023 and was pretested for clarity. The analysis of the collected data involved quantitative methods for descriptive analysis and qualitative methods for thematic analysis. RESULTS In this study, a total of 103 questionnaires were distributed, resulting in a favourable response rate of 61% from 63 participants, of whom 68% identified as male. The participants, when assessing the needs of HTA, rated allocative efficiency as the highest priority, with a mean rating of 8.53, thereby highlighting its crucial role in optimizing resource allocation. Furthermore, healthcare quality, with a mean rating of 8.17, and transparent decision-making, with a mean rating of 7.92, were highly valued for their impact on treatment outcomes and accountability. The importance of budget control (mean rating 7.58) and equity (mean rating 7.25) were also acknowledged, as they contribute to maintaining sustainability and promoting social justice. In terms of HTA demand, safety concerns were identified as the top priority, closely followed by effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, with an expanded perspective on the economy. However, limited access to local data was reported, which arose from various factors including data collection practices, system fragmentation and privacy concerns. The priorities of HTA users encompassed coverage, payment reform, benefits design, guidelines, service delivery and technology registration. Evidence generation involved the participation of medical universities, research centres and government bodies, albeit with ongoing challenges in research quality, data access and funding. The study highlights government support and medical education as notable strengths in this context. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of Iran's HTA landscape, considering its capacity, demand and implementation aspects. It underlines the vital role of HTA in optimizing resources, improving healthcare quality and promoting equity. The study also sheds light on the strengths of evidence generation in the country, while simultaneously identifying challenges related to data access and system fragmentation. In terms of policy priorities, evidence-based decision-making emerges as crucial for enhancing healthcare access and integrating technology. The study stresses the need for evidence-based practices, a robust HTA infrastructure and collaboration among stakeholders to achieve better healthcare outcomes in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidin Aryankhesal
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Meysam Behzadifar
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Ahad Bakhtiari
- Health Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Shahabi
- Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Samad Azari
- Hospital Management Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Banafshe Darvishi Teli
- Department of Health Economics, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aziz Rezapour
- Health Management and Economics Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Jafar Ehsanzadeh
- English Language Department, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Behzadifar
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
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Hollingworth SA, Leaupepe GA, Nonvignon J, Fenny AP, Odame EA, Ruiz F. Economic evaluations of non-communicable diseases conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa: a critical review of data sources. COST EFFECTIVENESS AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION 2023; 21:57. [PMID: 37641087 PMCID: PMC10463745 DOI: 10.1186/s12962-023-00471-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Policymakers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face challenging decisions regarding the allocation of health resources. Economic evaluations can help decision makers to determine which health interventions should be funded and or included in their benefits package. A major problem is whether the evaluations incorporated data from sources that are reliable and relevant to the country of interest. We aimed to review the quality of the data sources used in all published economic evaluations for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in SSA. METHODS We systematically searched selected databases for all published economic evaluations for CVD and diabetes in SSA. We modified a hierarchy of data sources and used a reference case to measure the adherence to reporting and methodological characteristics, and descriptively analysed author statements. RESULTS From 7,297 articles retrieved from the search, we selected 35 for study inclusion. Most were modelled evaluations and almost all focused on pharmacological interventions. The studies adhered to the reporting standards but were less adherent to the methodological standards. The quality of data sources varied. The quality level of evidence in the data domains of resource use and costs were generally considered of high quality, with studies often sourcing information from reliable databases within the same jurisdiction. The authors of most studies referred to data sources in the discussion section of the publications highlighting the challenges of obtaining good quality and locally relevant data. CONCLUSIONS The data sources in some domains are considered high quality but there remains a need to make substantial improvements in the methodological adherence and overall quality of data sources to provide evidence that is sufficiently robust to support decision making in SSA within the context of UHC and health benefits plans. Many SSA governments will need to strengthen and build their capacity to conduct economic evaluations of interventions and health technology assessment for improved priority setting. This capacity building includes enhancing local infrastructures for routine data production and management. If many of the policy makers are using economic evaluations to guide resource allocation, it is imperative that the evidence used is of the feasibly highest quality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ama Pokuaa Fenny
- Institute of Social, Statistical and Economic Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Emmanuel A Odame
- Dept of Medical Affairs, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Francis Ruiz
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Behzadifar M, Behzadifar M, Saran M, Shahabi S, Bakhtiari A, Azari S, Bragazzi NL. The role of Iran's context for the development of health technology assessment: challenges and solutions. HEALTH ECONOMICS REVIEW 2023; 13:23. [PMID: 37079131 PMCID: PMC10116738 DOI: 10.1186/s13561-023-00438-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Health technology assessment (HTA) is a comprehensive and structured evaluation that aims to analyze the potential impacts of health technologies, including medical devices, diagnostic tools, pharmaceuticals, and public health interventions. Its purpose is to provide policymakers with evidence-based information to inform decisions related to the utilization and implementation of these technologies. HTA allows for the comparison of various scenarios related to a technology across a wide range of factors. This can aid in the creation of an essential drug list and health benefits package that is tailored to the actual needs of the community within a given healthcare system. In the present paper, we review the role of Iran's context for the development of HTA, in terms of challenges and solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meysam Behzadifar
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Masoud Behzadifar
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Maryam Saran
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Saeed Shahabi
- Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ahad Bakhtiari
- Health Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Samad Azari
- Research Center for Emergency and Disaster Resilience, Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- Human Nutrition Unit Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma Medical School, Building C, Via Volturno, 39, 43125 Parma, Italy
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Pinilla-Dominguez P, Taha S, McGuire H, Elagamy A, Sedrak A, Gamal M, Eldebeiky M, Dawoud D. Institutionalizing health technology assessment in Egypt: Situational analysis and roadmap. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1014658. [PMID: 36438785 PMCID: PMC9682258 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1014658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To conduct a situational analysis with the aim to inform future health technology assessment efforts (HTA) in Egypt. Introduction: The Egyptian government has set universal health coverage as a 2030 target. Several agencies have been created in the context of the ongoing healthcare reform. The Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and the Management of Medical Technology (UPA) is one of them and was established to support strategic procurement using HTA. Methods: Description of the development of HTA in Egypt supported by a literature search as part of a scoping exercise, and a stakeholder analysis and identification of HTA capacity survey, based on previous surveys, with relevant stakeholders conducted in 2022. This was followed by a stakeholder event where results were shared and further contextualized. Results: The UPA is expected to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of health technologies and public health programs. The HTA process is being developed, focusing on the assessment of the value of new pharmaceuticals being introduced to the Egyptian market. A total of 16 participants responded on behalf of their organizations to the stakeholder analysis and identification of HTA capacity survey. More than 80% of the respondents were familiar with current efforts conducted by UPA and strongly support the implementation of HTA in Egypt. Transparency was highlighted as an important criterion. Over 90% of the respondents mentioned economic analyses as an HTA product being developed in Egypt, and medicines were the type of technology that stakeholders ranked as first in the rank of health technologies that need the output from HTA urgently. Capability building and training were highlighted as areas in which further support is required. Conclusion: This study represents the first attempt to describe the current path for HTA in Egypt. There seems to be momentum in Egypt to proceed and advance with HTA institutionalization. It would be important that next steps are built on the skills and capabilities already in place in Egypt, ensure methods and processes are in place and up to date and involve the wider system in Egypt so stakeholders can appropriately contribute and participate in the HTA process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Pinilla-Dominguez
- NICE International—National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), London, United Kingdom
- Department of Quantitative Methods for Economics and Management, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
- *Correspondence: Pilar Pinilla-Dominguez, ; Shorouk Taha, ; Ahmed Elagamy, ; Dalia Dawoud,
| | - Shorouk Taha
- Central Administration of Health Technology Management (CAHTM), Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management (UPA), Cairo, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Pilar Pinilla-Dominguez, ; Shorouk Taha, ; Ahmed Elagamy, ; Dalia Dawoud,
| | - Hugh McGuire
- NICE International—National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), London, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmed Elagamy
- Central Administration of Health Technology Management (CAHTM), Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management (UPA), Cairo, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Pilar Pinilla-Dominguez, ; Shorouk Taha, ; Ahmed Elagamy, ; Dalia Dawoud,
| | - Amal Sedrak
- Central Administration of Health Technology Management (CAHTM), Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management (UPA), Cairo, Egypt
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mary Gamal
- Central Administration of Health Technology Management (CAHTM), Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management (UPA), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mariam Eldebeiky
- Central Administration of Health Technology Management (CAHTM), Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management (UPA), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dalia Dawoud
- NICE Science, Policy & Research, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Pilar Pinilla-Dominguez, ; Shorouk Taha, ; Ahmed Elagamy, ; Dalia Dawoud,
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Ramponi F, Twea P, Chilima B, Nkhoma D, Kazanga Chiumia I, Manthalu G, Mfutso-Bengo J, Revill P, Drummond M, Sculpher M. Assessing the potential of HTA to inform resource allocation decisions in low-income settings: The case of Malawi. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1010702. [PMID: 36388387 PMCID: PMC9650047 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1010702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Health technology assessment (HTA) offers a set of analytical tools to support health systems' decisions about resource allocation. Although there is increasing interest in these tools across the world, including in some middle-income countries, they remain rarely used in low-income countries (LICs). In general, the focus of HTA is narrow, mostly limited to assessments of efficacy and cost-effectiveness. However, the principles of HTA can be used to support a broader series of decisions regarding new health technologies. We examine the potential for this broad use of HTA in LICs, with a focus on Malawi. We develop a framework to classify the main decisions on health technologies within health systems. The framework covers decisions on identifying and prioritizing technologies for detailed assessment, deciding whether to adopt an intervention, assessing alternative investments for implementation and scale-up, and undertaking further research activities. We consider the relevance of the framework to policymakers in Malawi and we use two health technologies as examples to investigate the main barriers and enablers to the use of HTA methods. Although the scarcity of local data, expertise, and other resources could risk limiting the operationalisation of HTA in LICs, we argue that even in highly resource constrained health systems, such as in Malawi, the use of HTA to support a broad range of decisions is feasible and desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Ramponi
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, Heslington, United Kingdom
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pakwanja Twea
- Department of Planning and Policy Development, Ministry of Health Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Benson Chilima
- Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Dominic Nkhoma
- Health Economics and Policy Unit (HEPU), College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Isabel Kazanga Chiumia
- Health Economics and Policy Unit (HEPU), College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Gerald Manthalu
- Department of Planning and Policy Development, Ministry of Health Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Joseph Mfutso-Bengo
- Health Economics and Policy Unit (HEPU), College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Paul Revill
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, Heslington, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Drummond
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, Heslington, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Sculpher
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, Heslington, United Kingdom
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Promoting evidence-informed cancer treatment policy making in sub-Saharan Africa. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2021; 9:e1193-e1194. [PMID: 34303415 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(21)00315-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Verguet S, Hailu A, Eregata GT, Memirie ST, Johansson KA, Norheim OF. Toward universal health coverage in the post-COVID-19 era. Nat Med 2021; 27:380-387. [PMID: 33723458 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01268-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
All countries worldwide have signed up to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and have committed to the objective of achieving 'universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all'. During the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, advancement toward universal health coverage (UHC) will become more difficult for many countries, demonstrating that locally led priority setting is urgently needed to provide health services with appropriate financial protection to all. Because resources are limited and no national constituency can provide an unlimited number of services to their whole population in a sustainable manner, rationing and setting priorities for the selection of interventions to be included in a defined package of services is critical. In this Perspective, we discuss how packages of essential health services can be developed in resource-constrained settings, and detail how experts and the public can decide on principles and criteria, use a comprehensive array of analytical methods and choose which services to be provided free of charge. We illustrate these main steps while drawing on a recently conducted exercise of revising the national essential health services package in Ethiopia, which we compare with examples from other countries that have defined their essential benefits packages. This Perspective also provides recommendations for other low- and middle-income countries on their pathway to UHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Verguet
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alemayehu Hailu
- Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Getachew Teshome Eregata
- Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Solomon Tessema Memirie
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Kjell Arne Johansson
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ole Frithjof Norheim
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Assessing the capacity of Ghana to introduce health technology assessment: a systematic review of economic evaluations conducted in Ghana. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 2020; 36:500-507. [PMID: 32981532 DOI: 10.1017/s0266462320000689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Ghana is in the process of formally introducing health technology assessment (HTA) for health decision making. Similar to other low- and middle-income countries, evidence suggests that the lack of data and human capacity is a major barrier to the conduct and use of HTA. This study assessed the current human and data capacity available in Ghana to undertake HTA. METHODS As economic evaluation (EE) forms an integral part of HTA, a systematic review of EE studies undertaken in Ghana was conducted to identify the quality and number of studies available, methods and source of data used, and local persons involved. The literature search was undertaken in EMBASE (including MEDLINE), PUBMED, and Google Scholar. The quality of studies was evaluated using the Consolidated Health Economics Evaluation Reporting Standards. The number of local Ghanaians who contributed to authorship were used as a proxy for assessing human capacity for HTA. RESULTS Thirty-one studies were included in the final review. Overall, studies were of good quality. Studies derived their effectiveness, resource utilization and cost data mainly from Ghana. The most common source of cost data was from the National Health Insurance Scheme pricing list for medicines and tariffs. Effectiveness data were mostly derived from either single study or intervention programs. Sixty out of 199 authors were Ghanaians (30 percent); these authors were mostly involved in data collection and study conceptualization. CONCLUSIONS Human capacity for HTA in Ghana is limited. To introduce HTA successfully in Ghana, policy makers would need to develop more local capacity to undertake Ghanaian-specific HTA.
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