Integrating Patient Perspectives Into Drug Reimbursement Decisions: Insights From Taiwan’s Deliberative HTA Process
Author(s)
Yu-hsien Lai, MS, Yi-Hua Kung, MS, Li-Ying huang, MS, PhD.
Division of Health Technology Assessment, Center for Drug Evaluation, Taipei, Taiwan.
Division of Health Technology Assessment, Center for Drug Evaluation, Taipei, Taiwan.
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to summarize the mechanisms and practices for collecting and presenting patient opinions during Taiwan’s drug reimbursement assessment process. It also highlights the active role and contributions of the Center for Drug Evaluation’s Health Technology Assessment (CDE/HTA) team in synthesizing these perspectives and supporting the deliberative process.
METHODS: We reviewed publicly available data (2015-2025) from Taiwan’s NHIA and its Patient Opinion Sharing Platform, analyzing trends in patient input collection and presentation by therapeutic area and submission outcomes for new drugs and indication extensions. We also describe how the CDE/HTA team incorporates patient input into HTA reports for decision-making.
RESULTS: Launched in 2015, the Patient Opinion Sharing Platform serves as a crucial channel for patients—mainly those with catastrophic illnesses—to share experiences with new drugs or devices. From January 2020 to May 2025, 197 cases initiated opinion collection: approximately half were for cancer indications and a quarter for rare diseases. The CDE/HTA team is responsible for regularly retrieving platform data, synthesizing patient input, and incorporating it into HTA reports used during PBRS Joint Committee meetings. The team also proactively holds pre-meeting briefings with patient groups, helps align messaging, and shares draft reports for their review. Since 2021, the number of cases with patient opinions presented at committee meetings has steadily increased. Among 67 reviewed cases with published deliberations, 20 had no patient submissions despite the open call, including 7 cancer drugs, 7 for rare diseases, and 6 for other conditions. Some other cases were still under internal review during the analysis.
CONCLUSIONS: CDE/HTA support in data integration, engagement, and reporting has enhanced transparency and patient focus. Ongoing work is needed to broaden coverage, reinforce patient group support, and streamline procedures for a more inclusive, equitable review process.
METHODS: We reviewed publicly available data (2015-2025) from Taiwan’s NHIA and its Patient Opinion Sharing Platform, analyzing trends in patient input collection and presentation by therapeutic area and submission outcomes for new drugs and indication extensions. We also describe how the CDE/HTA team incorporates patient input into HTA reports for decision-making.
RESULTS: Launched in 2015, the Patient Opinion Sharing Platform serves as a crucial channel for patients—mainly those with catastrophic illnesses—to share experiences with new drugs or devices. From January 2020 to May 2025, 197 cases initiated opinion collection: approximately half were for cancer indications and a quarter for rare diseases. The CDE/HTA team is responsible for regularly retrieving platform data, synthesizing patient input, and incorporating it into HTA reports used during PBRS Joint Committee meetings. The team also proactively holds pre-meeting briefings with patient groups, helps align messaging, and shares draft reports for their review. Since 2021, the number of cases with patient opinions presented at committee meetings has steadily increased. Among 67 reviewed cases with published deliberations, 20 had no patient submissions despite the open call, including 7 cancer drugs, 7 for rare diseases, and 6 for other conditions. Some other cases were still under internal review during the analysis.
CONCLUSIONS: CDE/HTA support in data integration, engagement, and reporting has enhanced transparency and patient focus. Ongoing work is needed to broaden coverage, reinforce patient group support, and streamline procedures for a more inclusive, equitable review process.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
HTA207
Topic
Health Technology Assessment, Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Systems & Structure
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas