Page 46 - Htain Manual

TAs are used to support important policy decisions. HTA topics usually

include at its core a research question which requires an economic

H evaluation to assist decision makers to formulate evidence-based policies

for incorporating or excluding health technologies into the health system. It is important that
topics for assessment are policy-relevant so that the assessment findings can properly inform

policy-makers in making rational and effective policy decisions that address unmet needs in

the health system.

Who can submit topics?
HTA topics are typically formally submitted by those in policy-making positions with

administrative control over a health scheme or program who need the evidence to inform

investment decisions, e.g. the CEO Ayushman Bharat, State National Health Mission Directors,
or Directors of State health insurance schemes such as Aarogysri in Andhra Pradesh or the

Chief Ministers scheme in Tamilnadu. However, HTA topics may also be identified through

service providers or users, such as a patient representative groups and clinical practice

representatives.

How are topics prioritised?

It is imperative that topics selected for HTA are important to those who are engaged

in publicly-financed care – the patients, service providers and managers. There is a growing

international concern that the HTA agenda is set by industry, private investment or even

individual scholars,. By ensuring a transparent, fair, evidence-based, and inclusive topic-
selection process, the HTAIn aims to protect the Indian HTA process from conflicts of interest.

To ensure that HTAIN carry out policy-relevant HTAs of maximum benefit to the

healthcare system, a prioritisation process is used to select HTA topics, according to the

following criteria:

Indicator Key question to be addressed
Size of
How many people are affected by the disease or health problem that is
population
treated or prevented by the proposed intervention among Indian
affected
population at a specified time?
disease

34