Health technology assessment in Jordan: current landscape, challenges, and future roadmap

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is increasingly recognised as an essential tool for directing decisions on health policy, particularly those concerning coverage, reimbursement, price and value, especially in nations aiming for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Jordan is a middle-income country with limited resources for the health sector and rising needs; thus, despite its significant progress toward institutionalising HTA, there are still many gaps.

To assess the present situation of HTA in Jordan, pinpoint the main facilitators and obstacles, and suggest a plan for enhancing HTA at Jordan University Hospital so that it can more methodically influence Jordanian health policy.

Stakeholder studies, policy documents and published literature on HTA were reviewed, along with lessons learned from similar contexts.

Jordan's progress in HTA has been noteworthy. The Jordan Food and Drug Administration has specific requirements for pharmacoeconomic data in pricing and reimbursement, for instance, and university programs are providing capacity building. Other pioneers include the Ministry of Health, Royal Medical Services and the King Hussein Cancer Center's Centre for Drug Policy and Technology Assessment (KHCC CDPTA). However, funding for HTA is unstable, transparency and stakeholder engagement are uneven, institutional roles are fragmented, there is no national HTA methodological guideline or comprehensive, mandated legal framework, and data infrastructure (especially local cost, outcomes and real-world evidence) is limited.

A strategic plan is required for all institutions to achieve the potential benefits of HTA in Jordan, including more equitable access, better prioritisation, more efficient spending and contributions to UHC. Formalising legal requirements, creating national methodological guidelines, enhancing institutional and human capacity, enhancing data systems, obtaining long-term funding, establishing precise decision criteria and thresholds and boosting transparency and stakeholder participation are important stages.