Ten Years of Portugal’s HTA System Through Stakeholder Eyes: Reflections and Future Priorities
Author(s)
Jessica Fernandes, MSc, Inês Faria, MSc, Melina Mota, MSc, João Rocha, MSc.
Exigo Consultores LDA, Lisbon, Portugal.
Exigo Consultores LDA, Lisbon, Portugal.
OBJECTIVES: Portugal’s National System for HTA (SiNATS) was created to support evidence-based decisions in the adoption and funding of health technologies within the National Health Service (NHS). After a decade of implementation, this study aimed to understand how SiNATS has addressed stakeholder needs and how it should evolve in light of current and future national and European HTA challenges.
METHODS: An online survey was distributed to a diverse group of stakeholders, including patient representatives, healthcare professionals, public sector managers, HTA experts, and industry representatives from the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. The survey collected data on perceptions of SiNATS’ effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence, and overall value. Participants were also asked to rank key priorities for the future and to assess SiNATS’s capacity to respond.
RESULTS: Among respondents, 64% were affiliated with the public sector and 68% had over ten years of experience in HTA. On a 0-100 scale, stakeholders rated the SiNATS goals, the highest score was for SiNATS’ contribution to NHS sustainability (70), while the lowest was for monitoring technology use and effectiveness (54). Also, lower ratings were given to stakeholder engagement (5.14/10) and alignment with other Ministry of Health policies (5.39/10). Despite these challenges, 66% rated SiNATS as efficient and 95% of respondents recognized at least significant value in SiNATS as a public health policy tool, with 68% describing its impact as “exceptional and transformative." For the next five years, stakeholders prioritized effective implementation of public funding decisions and the integration of real-world data into HTA.
CONCLUSIONS: SiNATS is seen as a key part of Portugal’s healthcare decision-making, but stakeholders call for greater transparency, responsiveness, and alignment with broader health policies. Enhancing the use of real-world data, methodological clarity, and re-evaluation of technologies is considered essential. Strengthening stakeholder engagement will be crucial to ensure SiNATS remains aligned with future health system needs.
METHODS: An online survey was distributed to a diverse group of stakeholders, including patient representatives, healthcare professionals, public sector managers, HTA experts, and industry representatives from the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. The survey collected data on perceptions of SiNATS’ effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence, and overall value. Participants were also asked to rank key priorities for the future and to assess SiNATS’s capacity to respond.
RESULTS: Among respondents, 64% were affiliated with the public sector and 68% had over ten years of experience in HTA. On a 0-100 scale, stakeholders rated the SiNATS goals, the highest score was for SiNATS’ contribution to NHS sustainability (70), while the lowest was for monitoring technology use and effectiveness (54). Also, lower ratings were given to stakeholder engagement (5.14/10) and alignment with other Ministry of Health policies (5.39/10). Despite these challenges, 66% rated SiNATS as efficient and 95% of respondents recognized at least significant value in SiNATS as a public health policy tool, with 68% describing its impact as “exceptional and transformative." For the next five years, stakeholders prioritized effective implementation of public funding decisions and the integration of real-world data into HTA.
CONCLUSIONS: SiNATS is seen as a key part of Portugal’s healthcare decision-making, but stakeholders call for greater transparency, responsiveness, and alignment with broader health policies. Enhancing the use of real-world data, methodological clarity, and re-evaluation of technologies is considered essential. Strengthening stakeholder engagement will be crucial to ensure SiNATS remains aligned with future health system needs.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
HPR192
Topic
Health Policy & Regulatory, Health Technology Assessment
Topic Subcategory
Reimbursement & Access Policy
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas