Session Synopsis

What are the challenges of UHC and its implementation? How can HTA be used as a tool to advance UHC? What are the experiences, challenges and opportunities for countries in using economic evidence to inform their benefit package design?

This session will explore the ongoing challenges and opportunities countries are facing in using Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to inform benefits package design in India, the Philippines and China. Moderated by Dr Kalipso Chalkidou (Center for Global Development), the panel will reflect on what challenges the countries have faced in using economic evidence and health technology assessment to inform benefit package design; opportunities and recommendations for how countries across the region can utilise economic evidence in benefit package design, refinement and implementation; and the broader health system issues impacting the delivery of cost effective health interventions under the UHC schemes.

Dr Shankar Prinja, Associate Professor at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh (PGIMER), India, Ms Diana Beatriz Bayani, Research Fellow, HTA Unit in the Department of Health, Philippines and Dr Kun Zhao, Director, Division of Health Technology Assessment and Policy Evaluation in the China National Health Development Research Center of the Ministry of Health, will share regional insights into these topics through discussions of HTA application in their respective countries. This session will also cover the work of the international Decision Support Initiative (iDSI) and relevant knowledge products, which are global public goods to support countries around the world in informing evidence-based benefit package design. Saudamini Dabak, Technical Advisor, Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP), Thailand Ministry of Health, will outline HITAP’s role as part of iDSI, discussing the Guide to Health Economic Analysis and Research (GEAR).

Session outlines

Country experience presentations (10 minutes each)

3 Countries (India, Philippines, China) will give the status of using economic evidence to inform their benefit package design and make listing and procurement decisions as the countries move towards Universal Healthcare Coverage. These presentations should cover:

• Where the use of economic evidence fits into the decision making process (to provide concrete examples); How HTA helped inform the up-front benefit package development processes or listing on EML or pricing negotiations?

• HTA status including applications (e.g. using for disinvestment or price intervention) and processes in country currently and future plan in using HTA for UHC

• Domestic and international support needed in using HTA for UHC

• Reflections on other intersecting Health system challenges – Procurement and supply chain / pricing etc. and how HTA can be of use

• How UHC scheme, and use of HTA in BP design, has been Communicated– e.g. for public empowerment / policy advocacy etc.

How use of HTA can go beyond academic exercise and what are the specific policy and payment decisions it can inform? What is the ideal state for HTA in the country?

iDSI experiences presentation (15 Minutes)

This presentation will explore how iDSI has been supporting countries in using Health Technology Assessment as a means for UHC, including:

• An overview of the iDSI network – who we are? / what we do?

• An overview of the knowledge products / Global Public goods / Tools available – What’s in What’s out / HTA toolkit / GEAR

• An overview of our reflections at an intl. level – What we have learnt from engagement which is applicable to Asia and HBP design

• An overview of country engagement and support provided

• An overview of similarities and differences about different HTA networks

Discussion (45 Mins)

3 main questions for policy makers

1. What are the main challenges you are currently facing with the existing health insurance scheme – (expanding coverage? New technologies? Increasing prices? Financial sustainability? Reimbursement mechanisms?)

2. What do you see as the ongoing opportunities for using HTA in refining and improving the benefit package design and to address some of the challenges identified in (1)

3. What are your recommendations for other countries in the region – in terms of HTA development/ HTA in efficient health benefit package design/ HTA in price negotiation