Health Technology Assessment Impact on the Health Care System in Challenging Times in Ukraine

OBJECTIVES: According to WHO’s Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care, there have been 330 attacks on health care (health facilities, transport, personnel, patients, supplies and warehouses), resulting in 59 injuries and 76 deaths, reported between 24 February and 30 June 2022 in Ukraine as a result of Russia’s invasion. Nevertheless, Ukraine’s health system has demonstrated the capacity and fortitude to continue the operations alongside rising to wartime needs. This research aims to explore the results of continuous health technology assessment (HTA) implementation in Ukraine under severe pressure caused by full-scale war.

METHODS: The recommendations of the HTA Department of the State Expert Centre of the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Ukraine was analyzed for the period of more than 4 month of Russian assault on Ukraine.

RESULTS: Since 24 February 2022 the HTA Department prepared 11 HTA conclusions, which include 7 conclusions with recommendations for MoH based on company submissions and 4 conclusions under the abbreviated procedure at the request of the MoH. The majority of the HTA conclusions concerned treatment of the oncologic diseases (18,2%), anticoagulant therapy (18,2%) and infectious diseases (18,2%). Other nosologies include diabetes mellitus, emergency care, hepatitis and cirrhosis, mental illness, orphan disease (9,1% for each). Most of the dossiers aimed for inclusion of medicines on the nomenclature (42,9%) and on the National Essential Medicines Lists (NEML) (42,9%), while one to the NEML with further access through reimbursement under the “Affordable Medicines” reimbursement program. Listing was recommended in 85,7% cases, moreover 42,9% of medicines were recommended for managed entry agreement (MEA) procedure. The HTA Department is continuing its daily operations on assessments.

CONCLUSIONS: Recognizing the importance of continuing to promote patient access to effective, safe and cost-effective medicines, the HTA Department continues its operation procedures developing HTA recommendations despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine.