Why HTA and Pooled Purchasing Must Be at the Heart of Global Health Transitions, January 2020

In a blog that appeared on January 23, 2020, CGD Director Kalipso Chalkidou and Pharos President Robert Hecht explain the importance of country governments adopting Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Pooled Purchasing of health commodities, especially in countries undergoing reductions in donor aid for health and simultaneous pressures to increase domestic funding. The authors argue, with multiple examples, that low and middle income countries that build HTA are better able to assess the costs and benefits of investing in different health services and technologies with their own funds and to make wise spending decisions. Similarly, by pooling their purchases of drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, and other health commodities at the national level and with other countries in “buyers clubs”, they can obtain more favorable prices and stretch their scarce health ministry and insurance budgets further to fight major diseases and treat more of their citizens. While some low and middle income countries are starting to use HTA and Pooled Purchasing, many still lack these mechanisms and need to move swiftly to incorporate them in their health budgeting and spending systems.
Photo Credit:USAID