A review of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) recommendations for drug therapies issued between 2007 and 2009 and their impact on policymaking processes in Poland.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to critically review and analyze the Polish Health Technology Assessment (AHTAPol) agency's health technology drug recommendations (HTA activity), in order to ascertain to what extent HTA findings have been incorporated into national drug reimbursement decisions (HTA impact).
METHODOLOGY: HTA recommendations issued between 2007 and 2009 were studied. Positive recommendations were classified into three categories: recommendations with major restrictions; minor restrictions; and without restrictions. Definitions of clinical and non-clinical reasons were drawn ups for negative recommendations. The study examined how many different drug technologies assessed by AHTAPol were included in reimbursement lists.
RESULTS: In terms of HTA activity, 63 negative and 83 positive HTA recommendations were issued. While clinical arguments were the most prevalent reason for negative HTA recommendations, major restrictions were most common in the positive guidance group. In terms of HTA impact, the results revealed 30 drugs with positive HTA recommendations and four with negative HTA recommendations were included on the reimbursement lists.
CONCLUSIONS: Most of AHTAPol's recommendations have a positive outcome for the drug being appraised. The study revealed room for further enhancement of HTA impact. Three key areas that need future attention were identified: consistency, credibility; and pragmatism.