OBJECTIVES: A literature review conducted in 2021, showed that patient involvement in health technology assessments (HTAs) is becoming increasingly relevant across Europe. The study found that the Catalan Health Service (CatSalut), a regional health care institution of Spain, was one of the few European bodies in which patients have voting rights. However, published data on this subject is limited. Thus, the aim of this study is to describe patient involvement in medicine appraisal and decision-making in Catalonia.

METHODS: A secondary literature research was carried out focused on medicine appraisal and decision-making model in Catalonia. Additionally, we conducted multiple interviews with Catalan evaluators to collect further information.

RESULTS: CatSalut runs a specific program for medicine appraisal and decision-making. Programa d’Harmonització Farmacoterapèutica (PHF), aimed to prioritize innovative medicines according to their added value and considering the needs and budgeting priorities. The PHF comprises two advisory councils, (CAMH and CAMAPCE), and a decision-making commission (CFT-SISCAT). According to the Instruction 05/2017, each PHF panel accounts with two representatives from different patient associations, appointed by the Patients' Advisory Council (PAC) of Catalonia’s Department of Health. PAC is the official body representing patient organizations in Catalonia, composed by 24 members from health-related and patient organizations. Patients representatives are trained on administration procedures, provide their considerations at each medicine appraisal and if necessary their vote (with the exemption on appraisals concerning their own disease). From 2017 to 2021, PHF conducted 96 appraisals for a total of 168 medicines. In all the appraisals, patients were involved in the decision-making process.

CONCLUSIONS: The Catalan program for medicine appraisal and decision-making has a high level of patient involvement. Patients’ representatives are integrated during each step providing a multi-disciplinary approach to medicine assessment.