Taiwan: Patient Participation in HTA
摘要
This chapter provides an overview of the significant strides made in integrating patient participation into Taiwan’s Health Technology Assessment (HTA) process. Emphasising the advancements since the amendment of the National Health Insurance Act in 2013, which champions patients’ rights and active participation, this account delves into how patients’ perspectives and effectively integrated into the HTA reports and decision-making processes. Pivotal for this was the establishment of an online platform by the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA), which facilitates direct submissions from patients. These submissions are a fundamental part of the assessment. Moreover, patient representatives are invited to attend pre-meeting sessions hosted by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) HTA team before the Pharmaceutical Benefit and Reimbursement Scheme (PBRS) Joint Committee meetings where the CDE shares how patient inputs have been synthesised, and their impact on the HTA. From May 2015 to October 2024, this inclusive approach led to 75 new technologies with patient contributions discussed before the PBRS Joint Committee meetings. These contributions are publicly available on the NHIA website, showcasing the commitment to transparency and patient-centered care. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly in ensuring timely patient involvement and providing the necessary resources for effective participation.