OBJECTIVES: The 2023 Sustainable Development Agenda, supported by 193 UN member states, includes 17 goals and 169 targets to achieve by 2030, covering environmental, economic, and social aspects. One major objective focuses on Health and Well-being, aiming for universal health coverage with access to quality healthcare services, affordable essential medications, and vaccines for all. In Brazil, the incorporation process of essential medications follows Health Technology Assessment (HTA) criteria, considering safety, efficacy, effectiveness, efficiency, budget impact, as well as ethical, social, and environmental factors. This study examines CONITEC's decision criteria for incorporating interventions in cardiovascular, respiratory, and oncology fields, which are leading causes of mortality in Brazil.

METHODS: A search was conducted in the HTA Accelerator database, compiling and analyzing publications from 41 countries and over 100 HTA agencies and regulatory bodies. Data included technology assessment reports, horizon scanning, clinical guidelines, and literature reviews. Information provided by CONITEC between 2011 and 2023 was selected, focusing on cardiovascular, respiratory, and oncology areas due to their impact on mortality rates in Brazil.

RESULTS: Among the 25 identified decisions, cardiovascular and oncology domains accounted for the majority, considering both clinical and economic criteria. Cost-effectiveness analyses were mentioned in cardiovascular and oncology evaluations, while respiratory assessments lacked such analysis. Superiority of interventions in primary endpoints played a crucial role in cardiovascular and oncology areas, while safety and tolerability were primary drivers in respiratory technologies.

CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of intervention superiority in primary disease endpoints and cost-effectiveness results were the main economic drivers for positive incorporations in CONITEC within cardiovascular and oncology therapeutic areas. In the respiratory domain, the safety and tolerability of interventions were the primary considerations. These findings provide insights into CONITEC's decision-making process and the factors influencing recommendations for incorporating interventions in Brazil's healthcare system.