The Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO) underscored the pivotal role of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in advancing Universal Health Care (UHC), emphasizing its impact on shaping healthcare services and ensuring equitable access for all Filipinos. At a year-end event attended by patient advocates and healthcare leaders, PAPO highlighted how HTA is not only a tool for guiding government health investments but also a mechanism that directly influences the availability of essential medicines and services for patients.
HTA serves as a fair and transparent mechanism to evaluate and recommend healthcare interventions. These recommendations guide the Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in determining which drugs, devices, procedures, and services should be included in UHC benefit packages.
PAPO emphasized that the assessment plays a key role in ensuring that essential medicines, such as those listed in the Philippine National Formulary, are made accessible to patients.
However, there have been difficulties in the implementation of the HTA. Dr. Jacinto Blas “Jojo” V. Mantaring III, Chair of the HTA Council, said that resource gaps and capacity-building needs hamstring the division’s efforts. Currently, the division operates with only 13 in-house assessors, far below the ideal workforce of 258. Staffing shortages are exacerbated by the lack of permanent plantilla positions, resulting in a high turnover rate and limited capacity to meet the growing demand for HTA evaluations.
To address these gaps, the HTA Council is working with the University of the Philippines Manila to establish a Master’s degree program in HTA, aimed at building local expertise. The upcoming release of the 2024 Philippine HTA Guidelines, including a Process Guide, Methods Guide, and Stakeholder Engagement Framework, is also expected to enhance the transparency and consistency of HTA recommendations.
Patient groups, through PAPO, reiterated their support for amendments under Senate Bill No. 2620, which seeks to strengthen UHC implementation by including dental services in UHC coverage, revising PhilHealth premium rates, and allowing the President to defer premium hikes during crises. However, they expressed concern over delays in the passage of the bill’s counterpart in the House of Representatives, urging lawmakers to act swiftly to ensure timely benefits for patients.
The event served as a rallying call for stakeholders to support the institutionalization and resourcing of HTA, recognizing it as a cornerstone of a more inclusive and patient-centered healthcare system. By addressing these challenges, HTA can fulfill its potential to transform UHC and improve the lives of millions of Filipinos.
