OBJECTIVES: To find a method for preliminary HTA of therapeutically similar medicines (used in the same clinical situations with similar efficacy and safety) in the basis of criteria ranking in the low or middle decision-making level (e.g. in a city or hospital).

METHODS: We were searching for solution for the resource- and time-saving approach to the question of priority setting in therapeutically similar medicines (e.g. modern medicines for rheumatoid arthritis, severe asthma, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and viral hepatitis). Then, we described and compared the methods.

RESULTS: We found and considered three methods: ranking rows constructions (RaRos), Interval Distribution (InDis), and Proportional Scaling (ProSca). RaRos means ranking of each criterion value from best to worst and then putting the ranks together. If one medicine has preferable ranks than another then it should be the drug of choice. RaRos method helps to underline small differences, but neglects volume of differences. InDis (e.g. quartile distribution) means the spread of each criterion value in the fixed number of intervals (e.g. four intervals in quartile distribution). This method seems vaguer than the other ones. ProSca means placement of the criteria values in the fixed scale from 0 to 1, 10, or 100 by using proportional interpolation (minimal criteria value ~ 0 and maximal ~ 1). To compute average mean value we need to determine relative weights of each criterion. ProSca is more précised but more time and resource consuming method. All three methods allowed comparing different criteria within time and resources constrains. In some cases, preliminary assessment can be enough to make decision on a local level.

CONCLUSIONS: RaRos method is one of the favorable preliminary HTA methods, which allow making a decision whether one medicine would dominate over another or whether next level of HTA is strictly required.