Bringing patient voices into HTA, health policy development in Asia

Health technology assessment (HTA) is recognised as a crucial stage in the introduction of f new technology, new medicines, and new clinical practices.

- Ruth Kuguru

HTA gives evidence-based information to policymakers as well as a systematic appraisal of this evidence to establish the value of any new healthcare solution in terms of cost, quality, and most importantly, value to patients.

The growing recognition of the value of this kind of systematic assessment has been driven as much by the increasing importance of effective healthcare as by the need to contain healthcare costs, which are rising rapidly in line with ageing populations and the associated burden of rising rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses.

Historically, HTAS have focused primarily on the clinical research-based efficacy of a treatment and its cost, with less consideration given to the experiences and priorities of patients using it, or their families and caregivers. It is encouraging to see that healthcare organisations and public health authorities in Asia are increasingly recognising the need to bring patients' voices into assessment processes for new treatments. While this progress has been hugely positive, there is still opportunity for policymakers to involve patients much more actively at every step of the decision-making process.

Ruth Kuguru,

Executive Director, Communications & Engagement, Novartis Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA)

Patient experiences go deeper than data