Establishment and implementation of hospital-based health technology assessment at King Hussein Cancer Center: can our model be an example?

Objective: To describe the establishment of, and assess the implementation of, a hospital-based health technology assessment (HTA) program in a comprehensive cancer center in Jordan.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional assessment study of the HTA program from 2008 to 2018. We used an indicator-based assessment that included structural, process, and outcome indicators. Structural indicators measured the program's enablers. Process indicators measured activities and outputs, whereas outcome indicators measured the program impact. A data collection form was prepared to collect data related to each indicator.

Results: The program met its core structural and process indicators. The Center for Drug Policy and Technology Assessment was established as an organizational entity to conduct assessments. A functional decision-making entity is available. There are competent pharmacists to conduct assessments, including economic evaluation and decision analytical modeling. There is a structured capacity building program that has been implemented within the last 5 years. Specific submission, assessment, and appraisal processes were established and implemented. Reference methodological guidelines for efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness assessments were developed and used by assessors. Thirty-one HTA reports were produced from 2012 to 2018 with a 100 percent utilization rate. Twenty-three medications were listed under restriction, and eight were rejected. The prices of twenty-one medications out of the twenty-three listed medications were reduced based on the HTA assessment results.

Conclusion: The HTA program at the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) in Jordan is functional, is effective with a high utilization rate of produced assessments, and is having a positive impact on price reductions.