ISSUE: The SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) has had profound health, social and economic effects across the world. By mid-December 2020, four countries in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico) had more than 1 million cases and were among the top 10 countries in the world in number of deaths due to COVID-19. Health innovations to tackle the pandemic, ranging from vaccines and antivirals to medical devices and diagnostics are advancing at incredible speed adding pressure to provide rapid and broad access to these technologies for those who need in order to manage the pandemic. Health Technology Agencies in Latin America follow explicit value frameworks to assess health technologies. These frameworks have a narrow definition of value, mainly focused in elements like health benefits (e.g. LYG, QALYs) and costs, disregarding other elements. COVID-19-related health technologies illustrate challenges and opportunities to advance the definition of what is value and which other elements should be considered based on international recommendations.

OVERVIEW: This panel will address challenges faced by decision makers to assess the value of COVID-19-related health innovations under the established value frameworks in three countries with established HTA agencies (Brazil, Colombia and Mexico). Experts from health technology producers including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and diagnostics, will discuss the challenges and opportunities faced in the region highlighting those value elements that are not being considered yet.