OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the barriers and facilitators of the utilization of health technology assessment (HTA), a process which is infrequently applied to the selection of medicines listed in the medicine pricing and reimbursement policies in Indonesia.

METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data. Purposive sampling was used to recruit the stakeholders, which consisted of policymakers, a pharmaceutical industry representative, healthcare providers, and patients. The data were analyzed using directed content analysis to systematically organize the data into a structured format. A COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative studies (COREQ) checklist was followed to ensure a high quality and comprehensive report of the findings.

RESULTS: The twenty-five participants interviewed provided a range of barriers and promoting factors for the implementation of HTA in Indonesia. A lack of capability of local human resources, a lack of incentives, unintegrated data, as well as a lack of a clear framework were mentioned as barriers. An important promoting factor was seen in the Indonesian law which stipulated that HTA was mandatory for selecting medicines listed in the medicine pricing and reimbursement policies. Strategies suggested to overcome the barriers include setting up an HTA department in several Indonesian universities, introducing a clear framework for the implementation of HTA in the guidelines, and establishing relationships with other countries with a well-developed HTA or with HTA associations.

CONCLUSIONS: Several barriers are currently preventing the implementation of HTA in medicine pricing and reimbursement policy in Indonesia, however, solutions to these issues exist.