OBJECTIVES

: Implementation of health technology assessment (HTA) can be an adequate tool to improve the evidence base of policy decisions. Our objective was to assess current status of HTA implementation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and to identify middle to long-term objectives by focusing on regional commonalities.

METHODS

: We conducted an HTA implementation survey among participants of the ISPOR Dubai 2018 conference based on the template developed by Kaló et al (2016). Opinion of respondents on current and preferred future status of HTA implementation in their countries were described related to capacity building, HTA financing, process and organizational structure for HTA, standardization of HTA methodology, use of local data, scope of mandatory HTA, and decision criteria.

RESULTS

: 54 participants (56% from public sector) from 11 MENA countries filled in the survey. Respondents indicated current limited options for HTA training, but in the future 76% would prefer postgraduate HTA trainings in their own countries. Participants would like to see an increase in public funding on HTA research (13% current vs. 77% preferred) and on critical appraisal of HTA submissions (8% current vs. 70% preferred). 81% of respondents would prefer establishment of public HTA institute(s), however only 13% reported the existence of such agency. 78% of respondents (vs. 8% currently) would mandate the use of local data with need for assessing the transferability of international evidence. In the long-run, 72% would prefer development of patient registries and access to data in payers’ databases.

CONCLUSIONS

: Our results should be viewed as an initial step in a multi-stakeholder dialogue on HTA implementation. Each MENA country should develop its context specific HTA roadmap, as such roadmaps are not transferable without taking into account country size, GDP per capita, major social values, public health priorities and adopted systems of health care financing.