OBJECTIVES: Decision makers in middle income countries are using pharmacoeconomics studies (PEs) and health technology assessments (HTAs) in pricing and reimbursement decisions. However, whilst many of these jurisdictions have local submission guidelines and local expertise, the studies themselves often use models developed elsewhere and elements of data from countries other than the jurisdiction concerned. The objectives of this study were to assess the challenges faced by decision makers in transferring pharmacoeconomic data and analyses from other jurisdictions. METHODS: We conducted an interview survey of representatives of decision making bodies from  jurisdictions in Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and Latin America that had at least one year’s experience of using PEs and HTAs.

RESULTS: Representatives of the relevant organizations in 12 countries were interviewed. All 12 jurisdictions had developed official guidelines for the conduct of HTAs or PEs. All but one of the organizations evaluated studies submitted to them, but 9 also conducted studies and 7 commissioned them. Nine of the organizations stated that, in evaluating HTAs or PEs submitted to them, they had consulted a study performed in a different jurisdiction. Data on relevant treatment effect was generally considered more transferable than those on prices/unit costs. Views on the transferability of epidemiological data, data on resource use and health state preference values were more mixed. Eight of the respondents stated that analyses submitted to them had used models developed in other jurisdictions. Four of the organizations had a policy requiring models to be adapted to reflect local circumstances. CONCLUSIONS: Decision makers in middle income countries were facing several challenges in transferring data or studies, mainly due to differences in current standard of care, practice patterns or GDP between the developed countries where the majority of the studies are conducted and their own jurisdiction.