Establishing a Consumer Panel to Inform Health Technology Assessment Processes and Policy: impact and insights from...

Patient involvement in health technology assessment (HTA) at the organizational level remains relatively underreported in Asia. In 2022, Singapore's Agency for Care Effectiveness (ACE) established a Consumer Panel to provide strategic advice on strengthening patient participation in HTA processes and policy development. The Panel comprises representatives from local patient organizations, collectively covering a range of health conditions and bringing extensive lived experience within Singapore's healthcare system. This Perspective outlines ACE's approach to forming the Panel and highlights its contributions during the inaugural term, including co-developing patient involvement processes, supporting health literacy efforts, and fostering collaboration between ACE and patient communities. Panel members' reflections on their role and future directions for advancing patient partnership in HTA are also discussed. Beyond improving the quality and relevance of ACE's work, the Consumer Panel's achievements provide a valuable example for health authorities in other countries seeking to meaningfully involve patients at the organizational level.