Implementation roadmap of health technology assessment in Iran

Background

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is a relatively new initiative in Iran, compared to high-income countries, but aligns with developments in other middle-income countries. This study aims to design a roadmap for HTA implementation in Iran over the next decade by identifying gaps between the current HTA framework and its desired future state.

Methods

The study utilized an HTA implementation scorecard to assess the current state and future goals of HTA across eight key areas: capacity building, funding, organizational structure, scope, decision-making criteria, quality and transparency, use of local data, and international collaboration. 35 stakeholders, selected via convenience sampling, participated in one-on-one interviews. These stakeholders represented organizations such as the Ministry of Health, economic committees, medical universities, and teaching hospitals, ensuring diverse perspectives on HTA and pharmaceutical decision-making.

Results

Of the participants, 88.6 % were from the public sector. Regarding HTA education, 28.6 % identified project-based training as prevalent, while 42.9 % noted the existence of permanent graduate programs. A majority (94.1 %) anticipate a more structured HTA education system within the next decade. Public funding was cited as the primary source for HTA report appraisals (68.6 %), though 83 % reported that HTA currently has no formal role in decision-making processes.

Conclusion

This study highlights the priorities and challenges in establishing an HTA roadmap for Iran, including political, financial, and infrastructural barriers. The findings emphasize the need for capacity building, enhanced data utilization, and international collaboration to achieve long-term HTA goals. Further research is essential to develop strategies for sustainable HTA implementation in Iran.