The HTA Department of the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine reports on new areas and results of its activities for the first half of 2024.
Key achievements include
New procedures – preliminary consultations for applicants
In response to numerous requests from applicants and professional associations, and based on the results of cooperation within the capacity development program with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), experts of the HTA Department have developed a new procedure – preliminary consultations for applicants for the purpose of methodological assistance in choosing a comparison technology (comparator). Details at the link.
Process improvement – 50% more conclusions with recommendations
In the area of preparing conclusions and recommendations, with publication of draft conclusions and involvement of stakeholders, in 2024 50% more conclusions with recommendations from the state HTA were issued, based on the expert evaluation of applications and dossiers.
In particular – 10 conclusions on the treatment of patients with orphan, oncological, cardiovascular, and other diseases, namely for the following nosologies: myelofibrosis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, colorectal cancer, non-valvular atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, chronic kidney disease, and bronchial asthma. This may improve access to treatment for an estimated more than 170 thousand patients in Ukraine.
However, overall the number of applications and dossiers submitted by applicants from January to June 2024 remained stable compared with the same period of 2023.
Further development of expert capacity – participation in international training programs
During the first half of 2024, representatives of the HTA Department took part in 4 training programs. In particular, as a result of the cooperation:
- with NICE International;
- with the project of the Office of Health of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) “Safe and Affordable Medicines for Ukrainians” (SAFEMed) on horizon scanning;
- by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) on forecasting the need for a medical technology for budget impact analysis;
- with Krzysztof Landa, Adviser to the Minister of Health of Ukraine, former Deputy Minister of Health of Poland, healthcare expert, on evidence-based medicine, and improved their professional skills, knowledge, and practical abilities.
International cooperation – representing Ukraine in the international professional HTA community
Podium and poster presentations aimed at representing Ukraine in the international professional HTA environment are an integral part of the institutionalization of the HTA process. The presentations took place within events during the world meeting of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomic Research (ISPOR), the International Organization for Health Technology Assessment (HTAi), the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA), and also within the project Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Information (PPRI).
Domestic specialized events
Representatives of the HTA Department also actively participated in the pharmaceutical forum “PHARM@FOCUS ON THE PATIENT 2024. PHARMACOVIGILANCE,” and the forum “Farmapohliad 2024. Economic Growth in Turbulent Times,” and held meetings with representatives of patient organizations and students of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Bogomolets National Medical University.
It is worth noting that the experts of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Department not only participate in specialized events to improve their own knowledge and skills, but also share their experience and professional skills with applicants and stakeholders – thus, in the first half of 2024, 4 HTA training sessions were held.
We remind you
Health technology assessment (HTA) has been used for several decades in developed countries, including the countries of the European Union, to achieve rational use of financial resources, that is, the use of only those medical technologies that have the highest value for the patient and the state.
It is a multidisciplinary process that makes it possible to systematically, transparently, impartially, and soundly synthesize information on the medical, economic, social, and ethical aspects associated with the use of a medical technology at different stages of its life cycle.
Ukraine began using this tool in the decision-making process at the legislative level less than 5 years ago. HTA helps the Ministry of Health make decisions on which medicinal products it is advisable to finance from budget funds and what benefit new medical technologies will bring to patients. Since 2019, the function of health technology assessment has been assigned to the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, along with the establishment of the HTA Department.
