Methodological guidelines for Health Technology Assessment in Oman

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) supports optimal healthcare resource allocation by providing evidence-based input for decision-making. The manuscript aims to: (1) summarise the development process of methodological guidelines for Oman with involvement of key stakeholders to facilitate consistency, transparency and robustness in technology appraisal, and (2) present the features of the accepted HTA guidelines.

Guideline development included five steps: (1) learnings from international HTA guidelines; (2) multistakeholder workshop on key components of the Omani methodological guidelines; (3) survey to facilitate consensus on most critical elements; (4) drafting the guidelines based on collected observations; and (5) validation through feedback from policy-makers and HTA experts.

The Omani HTA guidelines consist of six sections: target indication, medical assessment, economic evaluation, budget impact analysis, social and ethical considerations, and transparency. Health benefit evaluation should prioritise policy-relevant outcomes, including mortality, morbidity, and quality of life. Using clinical assessment reports published by reputable HTA agencies is advocated. When added value is demonstrated over a policy-relevant comparator, cost-utility analysis with QALYs calculation, a 3% discount rate, and cost-effectiveness thresholds is the preferred approach. Budget impact analysis should cover a four-year horizon. Full disclosure of conflicts of interest, expert contributions, and public availability of HTA dossiers are mandatory to enhance transparency.

Acceptance of Omani HTA methodological guidelines by the Ministry of Health represent an important milestone in improving the evidence base of policy decisions in Oman. The guidelines offer a standardised, transparent framework to judge the value and affordability of health technologies in alignment with international standards and local healthcare needs and priorities.