Health technology assessment in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria

László Gulácsi (), Alexandru M. Rotar, Maciej Niewada, Olga Löblová, Fanni Rencz, Guenka Petrova, Imre Boncz and Niek S. Klazinga
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László Gulácsi: Corvinus University of Budapest
Alexandru M. Rotar: University of Amsterdam
Maciej Niewada: Medical University of Warsaw
Olga Löblová: Central European University
Fanni Rencz: Corvinus University of Budapest
Guenka Petrova: Medical University
Imre Boncz: University of Pécs
Niek S. Klazinga: University of Amsterdam

The European Journal of Health Economics, 2014, vol. 15, issue 1, No 3, 13-25

Abstract: Abstract This paper describes and discusses the development and use of health technology assessment (HTA) in five Central and Eastern European countries (CEE): Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. It provides a general snapshot of HTA policies in the selected CEE countries to date by focusing on country case-studies based on document analysis and expert opinion. It offers an overview of similarities and differences between the individual CEE countries and discusses in detail the role of HTA by assessing its formalization and institutionalization, standardization of methodology, the use of HTA in practice and the degree of professionalization of HTA in the region. It finds that HTA has been to some extent implemented in all five countries studied, with methodologies in accordance with international standards, but that challenges remain when it comes to the role of HTA in health care decision-making as well as to human resource capacities of the countries. This paper suggests that coming years will show whether CEE countries develop adequate national analytical capacity to assess and appraise technologies in the context of local need and affordability, instead of using HTA as a mere administrative procedure to fulfill (inter)national requirements. Finally, suggestions are provided to strengthen HTA in CEE countries through cooperation, mutual learning, a common accreditation of HTA bodies and increased network building among CEE HTA experts.

Keywords: Health technology assessment; Bulgaria; Czech Republic; Hungary; Poland; Romania (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1007/s10198-014-0590-8

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