Hussain Abdulrahman Al-Omar1,2, Abdulaziz Abdulhadi Attuwaijri3, Ibrahim Abdulrahman Aljuffali4,5. 1. Assistant Professor of Pharmacoeconomics and HCPs Behavior Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia. 2. Advisor for Health Technology Assessment Initiative, Vision Realization Office, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 3. Health Economics Consultant,Vision Realization Office, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 4. Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia. 5. Advisor to the Minister of Health for Pharmaceutical Sector Development; Chief Strategic Purchasing Officer, Program for Health Assurance and Purchasing of Health services (PHAP), Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Objectives: Saudi Arabia is undergoing a massive health-care transformation to fulfill its new, national 'Vision 2030.' To align with this objective, Saudi Arabia is establishing a new, independent and evidence-based health technology assessment (HTA) entity to help it maximizes health gains through efficient use of resources. This study was designed to ascertain how local experts perceive the creation of such a national HTA entity in Saudi Arabia; what they think about it and expect from it. Methods: To achieve study aim, we held two workshops in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, each lasting three and a half hours and each hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH). We invited 26 local experts from a variety of professional backgrounds to discuss the establishment of a national HTA entity. Results: The findings from experts workshops were structured around four axes, namely vision and remit; services provided and technologies covered; process and method; and implementation and practical considerations. Conclusion: This paper discusses the findings of the local experts convened at the workshops relative to their expectations for and views about a national HTA entity within Saudi Arabia.
Objectives: Saudi Arabia is undergoing a massive health-care transformation to fulfill its new, national 'Vision 2030.' To align with this objective, Saudi Arabia is establishing a new, independent and evidence-based health technology assessment (HTA) entity to help it maximizes health gains through efficient use of resources. This study was designed to ascertain how local experts perceive the creation of such a national HTA entity in Saudi Arabia; what they think about it and expect from it. Methods: To achieve study aim, we held two workshops in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, each lasting three and a half hours and each hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH). We invited 26 local experts from a variety of professional backgrounds to discuss the establishment of a national HTA entity. Results: The findings from experts workshops were structured around four axes, namely vision and remit; services provided and technologies covered; process and method; and implementation and practical considerations. Conclusion: This paper discusses the findings of the local experts convened at the workshops relative to their expectations for and views about a national HTA entity within Saudi Arabia.
Keywords:
Health technology assessment; Saudi Arabia; Vision 2030; local experts; policy; strategy; workshop