Health technology assessment of public health programmes in Poland, years 2010 and 2013

In Poland, among other responsibilities, local governments are obliged to organize public health activities for local communities. To fulfill their obligations in this respect, authorities can organize preventive care in the form of health programs. Prior to their implementation, local governments must seek however opinion of the Polish HTA (Health Technology Assessment) agency. HTA recommendations do inform final decision making process but are not obligatory to be followed.

Firstly, It was to provide an insight into what extend local governments utilize health programs in their endeavors and the scope of health topics included. Secondly, it was to elicit recommendations for future authors of health programs in order to increase the chances of positive HTA recommendation.

The retrospective analysis of HTA recommendations issued by the Polish HTA agency (AHTAPol) in 2010 and 2013 was conducted.

There were 67 and 294 HTA recommendations issued in 2010 and 2013 respectively of which 47.8% and 34.4% were negative. Among authors, city councils and communes dominated. Vaccinations were the most commonly chosen target health intervention. In total, six key recommendations for local governments interested in the implementation of health programs were elicited.

To increase the chances for positive HTA recommendations, the health program has to be designed for health problems supported by sound clinical evidence which is not covered by the scope of reimbursement offered by National Health Fund. The targeted health intervention has to be supported by the evidence of proven clinical efficacy and safety and utilize available epidemiological data.