Improving Access to High-Cost Technologies in the Asia Region.

Area of Science:

• Health Technology Assessment
• Health Economics
• Health Policy

Background:

• Defining "high-cost technologies" is essential for health technology assessment (HTA) in Asia.
• Publicly funded health systems face challenges in accessing innovative, high-cost medical technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand "high-cost technologies" and explore mechanisms for increased access in Asian publicly funded health systems.
• To examine the role of managed entry schemes (MES) in facilitating access to new health technologies.

Main Methods:

• The study is based on discussions and presentations from the 2018 Health Technology Assessment International (HTAi) Asia Policy Forum (HAPF).
• Informed by a literature review and a pre-meeting survey of HTA agencies and industry representatives.

Main Results:

• Key challenges for payers include data scarcity (especially real-world data), affordability, and budgetary impact.
• Managed entry schemes (MES) are utilized to enable earlier or more affordable access to high-cost technologies.
• Financial-based MES (discounts, rebates) are common, primarily for pharmaceuticals, with limited experience in outcome-based or evidence-generation MES.

Conclusions:

• MES show potential for improving access to new health technologies, particularly pharmaceuticals, in Asia.
• A regional "road map" for MES implementation is needed, clarifying "rules of engagement" for all stakeholders.
• Clear articulation of problems and how MES can provide solutions will aid countries in adopting these schemes.