bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PP59 Evaluating Reimbursement Applications With Decision-Oriented Evidence
Authors: Vreugdenburg Thomas , Cameron Alun , Maddern Guy , Ma Ning , Scarfe Anje , Tivey David
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Our research group recently evaluated a minimally invasive surgical procedure in order to inform a reimbursement decision. The application for funding was designed around the study selection criteria from a single pivotal randomized controlled trial (RCT). The aim of this study review was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this minimally invasive surgical procedure, and document challenges faced in evaluating a technology based on a highly targeted population.

Methods:

A systematic literature search of four biomedical databases was conducted (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, York CRD) up to 8 August 2017. Specific elements related to the population were patient age, together with level and duration of pain. Primary effectiveness outcomes included pain, patient reported quality of life, mortality and adverse events. The included RCTs were critically appraised against the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was not possible due to the limited availability of evidence with consistent outcomes.

Results:

From 4,718 search results, only one pivotal RCT specifically met the inclusion criteria, which demonstrated favorable safety and effectiveness of the procedure; however, the sample population in the trial had limited external validity to the proposed reimbursement population and follow-up was limited to six months. As a result, the selection criteria were broadened to better reflect the manner in which the service may be provided in clinical practice, and capture longer-term safety concerns. Four additional RCTs were included, which provided contradictory results.

Conclusions:

The results of this review identified two important issues in evaluating a health technology where the assessment has been focused to the results of a single trial. In particular, the generalizability of a trial is defined by the demographic distribution of the sample, not the selection criteria. Designing the review selection criteria around the selection criteria for a single trial can have consequences for a funding decision.
PP63 Factors Influencing Drug Prices Among Philippine Public Hospitals
Authors: Wong John , Modina Cheyenne Ariana Erika , Apostol Geminn Louis , Bagas Joy
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

In the Philippines, medicines are procured at higher rates in government hospitals. The prices of essential medicines have high variability, and a significant portion of out-of-pocket expenditures by Filipinos is for medicines. This study's objective is to determine the factors associated with the variation in drug pricing among public hospitals.

Methods:

This was a mixed-methods, case-control study of 57 hospitals. Two tools were developed based on: (i) Management Sciences for Health (MSH)’s Rapid Pharmaceutical Management Assessment and (ii) World Health Organization (WHO)’s Good Pharmaceutical Practices. The dependent variable is a drug price reference ratio of a preselected drug basket. Examples of factors studied are: (i) preference for generics, (ii) procurement type, and (iii) time out of stock.

Results:

Hospitals with proper procurement planning and performance monitoring are expected to decrease the price ratio (R = -0.030). However, interview data showed that forecasting is still not robust enough. Past consumption (91 percent) remained the most frequently used input to procurement planning. Few hospitals took into consideration other factors such as morbidity, mortality, and patient demographics. The expertise of hospital procurement staff increases the hospital's price mark-up. Interview results suggest this is because members and hospital units do not meet eye-to-eye to ensure accountability and coordination across units in planning and implementing the procurement procedures.

Conclusions:

By having a forward-looking procurement plan, forecasting can be more efficient. Potential improvement lies in finding mechanisms where nearby hospitals could participate in pooled procurement. Pooled procurement could have an impact on reducing prices by capturing economies of scale, provided this is operated efficiently and transparently.
PP68 Urinary And Fecal Collection Devices: A Cornerstone For Autonomy
Authors: Olivier Cyril , Guerin Caroline , Collignon Corinne , Galmiche Hubert , Belorgey Chantal
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

To stay at home, have social interaction, or work, people experiencing urinary retention or uncontrolled urine or feces leakages need specific medical devices (MDs). In France, the MDs used to be covered by the health insurance system if included on a specific list of products and services qualifying for reimbursement. These MDs for urinary and fecal drainage and collection are included under a generic description corresponding to a class of products with the same indications. This coverage modality offered low resistance to unnecessary or wasteful spending. Furthermore, a periodic update of the list is required whereas it has not been done for more than 10 years.

Methods:

In 2016, Haute Autorité de santé (HAS) assessed the actual clinical benefit of these MDs using a standard health technology assessment method (systematic literature review, opinions of health professionals and patients’ representatives). Manufacturers were asked to provide technical specifications on their MDs.

Results:

The lack of professional guidelines and well-conducted comparative clinical trials has to be pointed out; among 516 identified publications screened, only seven recommendations, one technological review and one randomized controlled study were selected. Despite this, HAS defined specifications for each generic description, based on users’ experience (patients and caregivers). These included specific indications, minimum technical specifications and, when applicable, conditions of prescribing and use. This assessment took into account individual preferences, the role of the natural carers and the conditions, and opportunities for patients to improve and update their self-care and rehabilitation skills.

Conclusions:

The HAS assessment of MDs for urinary and fecal drainage and collection provides a cornerstone for the enhancement of the access to the necessary devices for homecare. The expected benefits are an improvement of the quality of life and a reduction of health expenditure due to misuse, complications or hospitalizations.
PP95 Engagement Of Local Policymakers In HTA With Positive Results
Authors: Elias Flavia , Gallo Luciana , Pereira Ana Carolina , Silva Erica , Girardi Juliana , Pereira Daniella
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

São Paulo city in Brazil has implemented social and health care for homeless people with pulmonary tuberculosis since 2007. We conducted a health technology assessment (HTA) of the interventions provided based on a national theoretical model using 2015 data and an overview of systematic reviews. The HTA was requested by national policymakers. The results demonstrated that the interventions for pulmonary tuberculosis were satisfactory. The municipal secretariat implemented actions to improve the national treatment recommendations and adopted incentives to increase adherence to treatments. Our objective was to describe the feedback process for the Health Secretariat.

Methods:

The feedback was categorized as: (i) an executive abstract with key messages (i.e. ninety-seven percent of notified cases underwent sputum smears, nineteen percent were hospitalized, and fifty-nine percent were cured) reported to policymakers involved in the surveillance program; and (ii) three meetings were organized jointly by the research group and local policymakers.

Results:

In 2016 we conducted a meeting to present the results. Thirty-nine professionals involved in the primary care team working on the streets (thirty-five percent) and the Tuberculosis Surveillance and Control Program (five percent) were present. The main barriers presented by the professionals were issues of human resources (i.e. suboptimal professional staff and having two different social organizations responsible for health care). The main facilitators presented by professionals were: (i) using homeless-peers as healthcare workers; (ii) having a network linking the primary care and surveillance programs; and (iii) periodic training.

Conclusions:

In addition to the positive results, the HTA presented an opportunity to discuss the sustainability of incentives for adhering to treatments adopted by the policymakers, such as meal allowances and housing support, to improve social conditions among the homeless.
PP97 Delineating Key Components Of Community Paramedicine Programs
Authors: Yan Charles , Guo Bing , Corabian Paula
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Population growth, epidemiological and demographic transition, and a shortage of healthcare workers are affecting health care systems in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). Community paramedicine (CP) programs provide a bridge between primary care and emergency care to address the needs of patients with low acuity but lack of access to primary care. However, how to capture the key characteristics of these programs and present them in a meaningful way is still a challenge. The objective of this presentation is to identify and describe the characteristics of currently existing CP programs in the four countries to inform policy-making on CP program development in Alberta.

Methods:

Information was obtained from systematic reviews, health technology assessments, general reviews, and government documents identified through a comprehensive literature search. The characteristics of the CP programs are described using a framework originally developed in Australia with three categories: (i) the primary health care model, (ii) the health integration model (in Australia, called the substitution model), and (iii) the community coordination model.

Results:

In general, Australia emphasizes rural/remote paramedics, whereas Canada, the UK, and the US implement expanded paramedic practice within different environments including rural, remote, regional, and metropolitan settings. Extended care provider programs have been intensively investigated and widely implemented in the UK. While the identified CP programs vary in terms of program components, designation of providers, skill mix, target population, and funding model, the majority of these CP programs fall under the primary health care category of the Australian framework.

Conclusions:

Transitioning from hospital-based to community-based health care requires careful consideration of all key factors that could contribute to future program success. Delineating key components of CP programs using the Australian framework will help Alberta decision-makers design, develop, and implement appropriate CP programs that adequately address local needs.
PP102 Developing A Contextually-Informed Deprescribing Intervention
Authors: Ronquillo Charlene , Stein Ken
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Deprescribing – a process for reducing or stopping drugs when the balance of benefits and harms may no longer be in a person's interests – is a key aspect of managing multimorbidity and polypharmcacy in older people. Several deprescribing interventions have been developed (e.g. in Australia and Canada), although significant challenges for successful implementation remain. Through key stakeholder consultation in the care home setting in South West England, we take the initial steps to develop a context-informed deprescribing approach. Engaging stakeholders from the outset gains insight into acceptability, feasibility, and relevance of deprescribing interventions developed elsewhere informing co-production of an effective, implementable approach.

Methods:

Consultation workshops were held with two groups of stakeholders: (i) care home residents and their families; (ii) care home staff and health care professionals (general practitioners, medical specialists, pharmacists, nurses, allied health professionals). Focus groups were held with each group separately to understand perspectives on: deprescribing in general; contextual considerations; and, perspectives on deprescribing interventions developed in other countries. A combined focus group then considered components of a deprescribing intervention for care homes. Qualitative data were audio recorded, transcribed, and thematically coded.

Results:

Participants described the nature of local relationships, dynamics, structures, and resources, as important considerations in the development of a deprescribing approach in care homes. Perspectives and concerns around deprescribing among the stakeholder groups varied, although the importance of eliciting local stakeholder feedback in the early stages of developing a deprescribing intervention was a common thread.

Conclusions:

Early engagement and co-production are crucial in developing an approach to deprescribing in care homes. The combination of stakeholder involvement and qualitative research is important for developing an effective, contextually relevant intervention as the balance between interests can be incorporated into the approach. Leveraging the experience in other countries is a novel and valuable step.
PP113 Towards A Systemic Approach of Value Judgment In HTA
Authors: Legault Georges-Auguste , Patenaude Johane , Bédard Suzanne Kocsis , Béland Jean-Pierre , Bellemare Christian , Dagenais Pierre , Daniel Charles-Etienne , Gagnon Hubert
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

The fact that HTA is a value-laden process is recognized in the literature. This is one of the reasons for promoting a better integration of ethics in HTA processes. Although what is meant by value-judgment (VJ) and how it can be used in HTA is not clear for some authors; others have proposed the elicitation of implicit VJs, to make them more explicit, as one way for clarifying the role ethics may play in HTA. In order to clarify what a VJ is, a conceptual analysis is needed to distinguish it from a factual-judgment and see how they diverge on certain aspects and converge on others.

Methods:

The distinction between VJs and factual-judgments was debated in the fifties. At the core of the philosophy of language was a distinction between factual-scientific assertions about facts, considered objective, and VJs on what is right/wrong-good/bad, considered subjective. In speech-act theory these distinctions were treated as two different operations: assertive and evaluative. A conceptual analysis of VJs, considering them as specific speech-acts, was used for clarifying/deciphering the role of VJs in HTA.

Results:

VJs are intrinsically embedded in decision-making since they are the reasons justifying decisions. This is why implicit VJs can be identified at every decision-step in the HTA process. Assessment is usually considered objective while appraisal seems subjective. Since VJs are entrenched in the decisions taken throughout the assessment process, the results are not completely objective. Ethical analysis also distinguishes two types of VJs, those based on normative criteria and those based on various degrees of value actualization. Furthermore, since evaluation requires criteria based on a rational process, VJs are not totally subjective.

Conclusions:

Elicitation of VJs in HTA is one way of integrating ethics in HTA and offers decision-makers a more thorough picture of the ethical issues involved in their decision.
PP119 How Much Evidence Is Enough For Action – ‘Adaptive Approach’ Helps?
Authors: Pwu Raoh-Fang , Wu Grace , Yang Wen-Wen
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Aiming for hepatitis C elimination by 2030, Taiwan has set up a mid-term goal of “over 50 percent of patients treated by 2025.” Among various aspects of evidence that are needed, the target number to be treated is difficult to estimate with certainty due to great geographical heterogeneity of hepatitis C prevalence, and the absence of a nation-wide large scale prevalence survey.

Methods:

A broad estimate of the number of patients to be treated with high uncertainty was calculated, and reimbursement criteria were set for year 2017 given limited data and treatment budget. In the meanwhile, various sources and approaches to estimate the target number to be treated, and to identify the high prevalence areas, were collected and synthesized for future planning through a systematic review of published data and consulting experts for unpublished data. An expert panel was consulted for the level of confidence and completeness of the evidence. A plan for using real-world data to reduce the uncertainty after initial actions of national program was also in place.

Results:

Eight thousand patients who fulfilled the reimbursement criteria were treated in 2017 as planned. Strategic steps were identified based on the collected data, and the treatment target, namely 200,000 patients to be treated during 2018 to 2025, was then set for appropriate action plans. National registry infrastructure is planned for supporting future policy modification.

Conclusions:

Hepatitis C elimination is an important public health task and it requires immediate actions. The expected expenses are high, yet the number of patients is difficult to estimate with precision. How to deal with this uncertainty (financially and in care program design) will be the most challenging part. An adaptive approach (“evidence”-”action”-”more evidence”-”modified action”) could be the pragmatic way to move forward without sacrificing the quality of decision-making.
PP121 Relationship Of Self-Reported Sleep Quality To Disease Status In Japan
Authors: Takeshima Tomomi , Iwasaki Kosuke , Kanazawa Daiki , Kuno Yoshiyuki
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Self-reported outcomes are considered to be useful to understand physical and mental conditions in daily life. Sleep quality is an important factor related to healthy lifestyle and work productivity, as well as to diseases. We examined the relationship of sleep condition with lifestyle and diseases based on self-reported sleep.

Methods:

A Japanese employee-based health insurance claims database with annual medical check-up data was used. Individuals were questioned about sleep quality as: “Do you get enough rest by sleeping?” during the medical check-up. The prevalence of diseases and medical check-up data were compared between those who answered “Yes” or “No”.

Results:

Among 1,310,157 individuals who answered about sleep quality, 540,564 (41.3 percent) answered “No”. The female ratio was around 38 percent for both answers, and the average age was lower for those who answered “No” (45.3) than “Yes” (47.3). Matched individuals for same examination year, sex, and age were 536,218 in each group. Individuals diagnosed with sleep disorder were 8.7 percent of those who answered “No”, representing the highest relative risk (RR=1.64), followed by other anxiety disorders (RR = 1.47), and depressive episode (RR = 1.45), with statistical significance. Other diseases diagnosed in more than 200,000 patients, and which had significantly higher RRs in patients who answered “No”, included vasomotor and allergic rhinitis (RR = 1.09), disorders of refraction and accommodation (RR =1.02), acute upper respiratory infections (RR = 1.11), gastritis and duodenitis (RR = 1.17), and acute bronchitis (RR = 1.13). The RR of other diseases of the liver (RR = 1.13), diabetes (RR = 1.12), hypertension (RR = 1.08), and disorders of lipoprotein metabolism and other lipidaemias (RR = 1.06) were also significantly higher for those who answered “No”.

Conclusions:

Sleep quality is suggested to be associated with various chronic diseases as well as mental disorders. Therefore, self-reported outcomes should be a useful tool to understand health-condition, prevent the onset and progression of diseases, and evaluate patient-centered care.
PP152 Options To Approach Health Litigation In Brazil: A Policy Brief
Authors: Biella Carla , Raynal Fabiana , Pereira Viviane , Boeira Laura , Carvalho Marcel , Santos Vania Canuto , Petramale Clarice , de Brito Artur Felipe , Barreto Jorge
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

In Brazil, health is a constitutional right and the government is responsible for its guarantee. The Brazilian health system is characterized by universality, equality, and integrality, but citizens still strive to guarantee their rights through litigation. This work aimed to develop an evidence brief to support the decision-making process of judges with respect to health technologies, based on scientific evidence.

Methods:

Support tools from the Evidence-Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) were used to develop the evidence brief. After defining and describing the problem, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Health Systems Evidence, The Campbell Library, The Cochrane Library, Rx for Change, and PDQ-Evidence for systematic reviews published from 2010 to 2016. Nine systematic reviews were found. Review selection and quality appraisal were conducted independently by two reviewers. Three strategies for addressing the health litigation were defined. Evidence was summarized on benefits, harms, resource use, cost-effectiveness, uncertainties, and implementation. Implementation barriers and facilitators were also described.

Results:

Three strategies were found: (i) Rapid response services to support evidence-informed decision making in health technology decisions—educational activities and materials were described as an effective way to involve different stakeholders and inform decision making, even when financial reallocation is needed; (ii) Continuing education programs focused on developing health technology assessment knowledge among law workers—continued education and educational outreach may be effective in knowledge and ability acquisition and retention, changing professional practices. Eventual lack of interest from or availability of the professionals can be addressed by involving leaders and opinion makers, as well as offering multimedia educational materials and activities adapted for the public; and (iii) Restorative justice conferencing (RJC) focused on the litigation of health technologies—the use of RJC through face-to-face meetings or social councils involves citizens in the decision-making process, including resource management. There are multiple barriers to this option (e.g. a lack of understanding among the public, conflicts of interest, a lack of professionals capable of conducting RJCs, and the need for legal reformulation) because of its unprecedented use in the healthcare setting. Opinion leaders should be invited to facilitate communication and the decision-making process among citizens, government, and the law.

Conclusions:

This evidence brief will be debated among interested parties and presented to the health minister and state secretaries in order to implement the strategy options, once regional specificities are taken into account.
PP155 Telemedicine Enhance Universal Coverage Of Diagnostic Services
Authors: Galvan Pedro , Velazquez Miguel , Rivas Ronald , Benitez Gualberto , Ortellado Jose , Barrios Antonio , Hilario Enrique
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Through the telemedicine, advantageous telediagnostic systems can be developed to improve the health care of remote populations that don't have access to specialists. However, evidence on how such innovation technology can enhance universal coverage of diagnostic services in rural communities is limited. The usability of telemedicine to improve the coverage of diagnostic services in public health in Paraguay was investigated.

Methods:

This descriptive study was carried out by the Telemedicine Unit of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MSPBS) in collaboration with the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging of the Health Science Research Institute (IICS-UNA) and the University of the Basque Country (UPV / EHU) to evaluate the utility of a telediagnostic system for universal coverage in public health. For this purpose, the results obtained by the telediagnosis system implemented in fifty-six public countryside hospitals were analyzed and compared to a “face to face” diagnosis.

Results:

The results obtained by the telediagnosis system implemented in fifty-six public countryside hospitals were analyzed. In that sense, 293,142 remote diagnoses were performed between January 2014 and September 2017. Of the total, 37.29 percent (109,311) corresponded to tomography studies, 61.44 percent (180,108) to electrocardiography (ECG), 1.26 percent (3,704) to electroencephalography (EEG) and 0.01 percent (19) to ultrasound. There were no significant differences between the remote and the “face to face” diagnosis. With the remote diagnosis a reduction of the cost was obtained, that supposes an important benefit for each citizen of the interior of the country.

Conclusions:

The results show that the use of telemedicine can significantly enhance the universal coverage of diagnostic services and health programs, maximizing professional time and productivity, increasing access and equity, and reducing costs. However, before carrying out its systematic implementation, a contextualization with the regional epidemiological profile must be performed.
PD16 Riociguat In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mosegui Gabriela , Vianna Cid , Faria Gabrielle , Tavares Cristiano , Cordeiro Benedito
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Pulmonary Hypertension is a silent disease and its diagnosis often occurs when it is already at an advanced stage. Pharmacological treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) can be performed with: calcium channel blockers; phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors; prostanoids; endothelin-receptor antagonists; and, soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators. The use of Riociguat was approved in Brazil by the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency on October 5, 2015 for use in patients with PAH. The objective was to perform a systematic review (SR) of the efficacy of pharmacological treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension comparing Riociguat with other available medications or with placebo.

Methods:

Following the steps described in the PRISMA guideline, a search for randomized controlled clinical trials was conducted, in which Riociguat was used alone or in combination with other therapies, in databases MEDLINE, LILACS, Web of Science, Science Direct, Cochrane Library Wiley and in the gray literature (Google Scholar, Capes Bank of Theses and Clinical Trials). EndNote and Mendeley were used as reference managers. Outcomes analyzed were: death; six-minute walk distance (6MWD); World Health Organization (WHO) functional class (improvement, stabilization or worsening); hemodynamic variables (pulmonary vascular resistance, cardiac index and pulmonary-artery pressure); clinical worsening; hospitalization; and, quality of life.

Results:

Four hundred and sixty-seven articles were obtained which reduced to 379 after the duplicated articles were removed. After exclusion by title and abstract by two independent reviewers, forty-seven studies remained. Through the gray literature, six studies were obtained, resulting in fifty-three articles being retrieved for full-text review. Five studies were selected to compose the SR. Compared with placebo, Riociguat showed improvements in 6MWD, pulmonary vascular resistance, WHO functional class and time to clinical worsening. Efficacy was maintained after one year of use. Subgroup analysis was performed comparing of treatment-naive patients and patients on background PAH-targeted therapy.

Conclusions:

This work may be used as a management and decision support tool, based on the same methodology of a Health Technology Assessment, and may contribute to quality decisions to be taken in relation to the incorporation of new technology.
PD33 Incorporation Of New Medicines In Brazil: A Descriptive Analysis
Authors: Custódio Pedro , Santos André , Ruas Cristina
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is important to the rational decision in healthcare systems. In Brazil, HTA is carried out by the national commission for the incorporation of technologies in the public system (Conitec), which issues reports with recommendations. This work aims to describe these recommendations and the factors influencing them.

Methods:

A descriptive analysis was conducted on Conitec's reports of incorporation of medicines between 2012 and 2016. The medicines were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical system (ATC).

Results:

One hundred and twenty-eight reports were assessed. Most requests were issued by the pharmaceutical industry (n=72; 47 percent), followed by the Ministry of Health (n=63; 41 percent). More reports issued by the Ministry of Health had positive recommendations compared to manufacturers (n=22 vs. n=50; χ2=30.231, df=1, p<0.001). Other antivirals were the most common class with requisitions (n=16), followed by TNF-α inhibitors (n=14) and selective immunosuppressants (n=12). Other antivirals had the most positive recommendations (n=12; 75 percent), followed by TNF-α inhibitors (n=7; 50 percent) and selective immunosuppressants (n=7; 58 percent). The difference was significant (χ2=88.65, df=63, p=0.02). TNF-α inhibitors was the class with the most negative recommendations (n=7; 50 percent), followed by monoclonal antibodies (n=6; 67 percent). Sixty-two reports contained economic assessments. Fifty-four presented incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) data and 57 presented the budget impact. Twenty-three reports showed data indicating dominance of the medicine, but only five of these were recommended for incorporation. Drugs for cancer have been recommended despite high ICER values. Decision makers accepted all the recommendations issued by Conitec.

Conclusions:

Data suggest that the economic evaluation is secondary to the decision of incorporation. The pharmaceutical industry is the largest applicant for the incorporation of medicines, but these requests are significantly less accepted than those made by the Ministry of Health. Conitec's recommendations are well-accepted by policy-makers. It was not possible to determine an implicit cost-effectiveness threshold.
PD36 Scoping Of Interventions Of The Philippines' Most Burdensome Diseases
Authors: Haw Nel Jason , Wong John , Lim Abigail , Co Stephanie Anne
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

In 2016, Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data was used to identify the top twenty percent of disease causes in the Philippines, which happened to account for eighty percent of the burden, following the Pareto principle. This study follows from that initial work, aimed at creating a list of cost-effective interventions recommended for priority-setting to achieve universal health coverage (UHC).

Methods:

A comprehensive literature review search was done, from global sources such as the Disease Control Priorities (DCP) for Developing Countries Project and World Health Organization's (WHO) Choosing Interventions that are Cost-Effective (CHOICE), and local sources such as clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Forty-seven local experts from thirty-eight medical societies were also consulted on the applicability, appropriateness, adaptability, feasibility of implementation, ability to maintain fidelity, ease of dissemination, and sustainability of selected interventions in the Philippine setting. Resource requirements were then derived using the WHO OneHealth Tool, CPGs, and key informant interviews.

Results:

A list of 745 interventions categorized by life stages and by level of intervention with estimates of cost-effectiveness was produced. From these, fifty seven percent had cost-effectiveness studies. Primary interventions were found to be the least costly for the pregnant women, newborn, infant, adolescents, adults, and elderly life stages, while tertiary interventions were found to be the least costly for children.

Conclusions:

The interventions are potential targets for inclusion by policymakers. Additional factors to consider include the appropriateness of the context in which the cost-effectiveness study was conducted, the feasibility of conducting primary HTA locally, the local costs of the intervention, and the need to act quickly before the policy window closes.
PD48 OTL38, A Tumour-Specific Agent In Surgery For Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Polo-Desantos Mar , Luengo-Matos Setefilla , Orrego Juan Pablo Chalco , Sánchez-Gómez Luis María
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Ovarian cancer (OC) has the highest mortality rate of all gynecologic malignancies. Completeness of cytoreductive surgery is a key prognostic factor for survival. To differentiate clearly between malignant and healthy tissue is essential for achieving complete cytoreduction. Using current approaches, this differentiation is difficult and can lead to incomplete tumour removal. OTL38 is a folate analogue conjugated to a near-infrared fluorescent dye which has high specificity and affinity for folate receptor alpha (FRα) expressed in OC. OTL38 together with a specific imaging system can help the surgeon to visualize diseased tissue. The objective of this work is to know the effectiveness and safety of OTL38 in of OC surgery.

Methods:

Early assessment of OTL38 identified through the early-awareness and alert-system, “SINTESIS-new technologies”, of AETS-ISCIII. The searched databases were: PubMed, WOS, Tripdatabase, Dynamed, Cochrane Library and ICTRP. Clinical studies using the OTL38 in cytoreductive surgery in OC published until September 2017 were reviewed.

Results:

Only one publication, supported by industry, was retrieved. The study assesses the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of OLT38 in 30 healthy people randomized into 4 groups with different doses and a control group. The study also analyses the percentage of cytoreduction in 12 OC patients. Infusion of 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/kg OTL38 doses was associated with mild adverse events which did not require intervention. The 0.2 mg/kg dose was associated to adverse events of moderate severity. In OC patients, 0.0125 mg/kg dose was considered the optimal dose with mild adverse events. OTL38 accumulated in FRα-positive tumours and metastases allowed the surgeon to resect an additional 29 percent of malignant lesions which were not detected using standard inspection and palpation methods.

Conclusions:

The OTL38 is an emergent health technology, which could help in cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer. However, the evidence is scarce and it would be necessary to continue further studies.
PD50 Helping Innovators Navigate Policy And Regulatory Processes
Authors: MacNeil Maggie , Koch Melissa , Juzwishin Don , Stole Paul
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

As part of a national aging and technology network, AGE-WELL, one work group aims to promote the understanding of potential policy and regulatory hurdles among innovators and decision-makers. This study describes the development of resources to help innovators to navigate policy and regulatory systems to have their technologies adopted.

Methods:

A policy primer was created that highlights considerations for innovators during the innovation process (from development to implementation). The content of the policy primer was developed by identifying resources through the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technology in Health Grey Matters search tool, and in consultation with legal and regulatory consultants. By surveying AGE-WELL technology-developing projects (n=15) we characterized the technologies being developed within the network. Survey questions included: intended end-user/purchaser of the technology and past/anticipated facilitators/barriers in their innovation process. The policy primer and survey data were combined to create tailored innovation maps with considerations for each technology being developed within the network. These materials were used to develop a beta website where users can receive information relevant to various innovation stages, as it pertains to their technology. We gained feedback about our materials via surveys and interviews with AGE-WELL technology developers.

Results:

The tailored innovation maps and website were seen as helpful resources for understanding policy and regulatory processes required for technology adoption. Technology developers expressed interest in gaining further access to these resources. Innovators desired additional resources about demonstrating value and measuring technology effectiveness.

Conclusions:

Resources were developed to help guide technology innovators through policy and regulatory processes; preliminary feedback suggests these were valued by innovators. Next steps include refining the website and releasing these resources to innovators beyond the AGE-WELL Network.
PD56 Economic Evaluation Of Dalbavancin In European Countries
Authors: Viti Raffaella , Marcellusi Andrea , Sarmati Loredana , Streinu-Cercel Adrian , Pana Adrian , Espín Jaime , Gallego Juan Pablo Horcajada , Favato Giampiero , Andreoni Massimo , Mennini Francesco Saverio
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Dalbavancin is a new innovative long-acting antimicrobial treatment that allows clinicians to endorse an early discharge program for patients suffering from acute bacterial skin and skin structure Infections (ABSSSI). The aim of this study was to develop a spending predictor model for evaluating the direct costs associated with the management of ABSSSI from the National Health Service (NHS) perspective of Italy, Spain, and Romania. The main purpose is to compare the hospitalization and drug costs due to the treatment of ABSSSI patients treated with standard antibiotics therapy or innovative long-acting treatment dalbavancin.

Methods:

A decision-analytic model was performed to evaluate the diagnostic and clinical pathways of ABSSSI patients in the hospital, based on clinicians’ expert opinion. The standard of care scenario was compared with the dalbavancin scenario. The epidemiological and cost parameters were extrapolated from national administrative databases (hospital information system) and from a systematic literature review for each country. Only direct costs in the national payer's perspective were considered. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) and one-way sensitivity analysis (OSA) were performed to check the robustness of the model assumptions.

Results:

Overall, the model estimated an average annual number of patients with ABSSSI equal to around 50,000 in Italy, Spain, and Romania. The introduction of dalbavancin reduced the length of stay of, on average, 3.3 days per ABSSSI patient. From the economic point of view, dalbavancin did not incur any additional cost from the NHS perspective with homogenous results between countries. The PSA and OSA demonstrated the robustness of the results.

Conclusions:

The preliminary results highlight that the introduction of dalbavancin could generate a significant reduction in term of length of stay with no incremental cost from the NHS perspective. This model could represent a good tool for policymakers to provide information on the early discharge approach in the ABSSSI management.
PD66 Indirect Comparison Of Treatments For Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Aleman Alicia , Pedrosa Daniel , Irisarri Magdalena , Alonso Rafael , Galán Ana Perez , Guzman Regina
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Vemurafenib plus cobimetinib (VC) for the treatment of metastatic melanoma was requested to be included in the National Formulary in Uruguay. The standard of care for metastatic melanoma in Uruguay is dacarbazine. There is no published head-to-head trial assessing the effects of VC versus dacarbazine. The objective of this study was to perform an indirect comparison of the effects of dacarbazine, compared with VC, based on the results of trials that included both treatments versus the same comparator (vemurafenib alone).

Methods:

We searched Pubmed and The Cochrane Library for trials comparing either VC or dacarbazine with vemurafenib. Trials were assessed in terms of risk of bias, similarity of interventions and inclusion and exclusion criteria, and comparability of characteristics of patients in the vemurafenib arm. We performed an indirect comparison using the Bucher method.

Results:

From the literature search we retrieved two studies that met the inclusion criteria: a randomized clinical trial that assessed VC versus vemurafenib or placebo and another assessing dacarbazine versus vemurafenib. Both studies were similar in terms of methodological quality, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and comparability of the vemurafenib arms. However, the comparison of overall survival and progression-free survival curves for the vemurafenib arms were quite different between the two trials. At 9 months, overall survival was eighty-one percent and fifty-five percent and progression-free survival was thirty percent and fifteen percent, respectively. The indirect comparison provided the following hazard ratios: 0.24 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14–0.48) for overall survival; 0.13 (95% CI: 0.09–0.19) for progression-free survival; and 0.15 (95% CI: 0.02–1.29) for grade 4 adverse events.

Conclusions:

Treatment with VC increased overall survival and progression-free survival, compared with dacarbazine. Severe adverse events were less frequent with the combined therapy. However, the differences in the vemurafenib survival curves increases doubts about the accuracy of the indirect estimators of overall survival and progression-free survival.
PD67 Strengthening And Accelerating Health Technology Assessments Through Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Goebel Randy , Kim Mi-Young , Jonsson Egon , Wolfaardt Ulli
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Rising costs and the rapidly increasing volume of findings from research in health care are driving the demand for comprehensive information to inform the allocation of resources. Health technology assessment (HTA) applies rigorous processes to provide high-quality synthesized information to policymakers and healthcare payers. HTA involves combining large amounts of research publications to systematically evaluate the properties, effects, and impacts on a topic of interest.

Methods:

The time and resources required to complete a full HTA are often demanding. There is an opportunity to apply high-performance computing (inclusive of artificial intelligence and machine learning disciplines) to HTA. This project applied high-computing technology to create a research synthesis tool to support HTA and then developed a service that integrates as much relevant data as possible to strengthen HTA. This was a joint project that combined expertise from the areas of health technology, machine learning, information technology, and innovation.

Results:

The information gathered for this phased project from HTA subject matter experts and other stakeholders was collated to inform a research synthesis tool and a broader concept of the project.

Conclusions:

The results of this study will inform the design of a research synthesis tool that covers the entire HTA process (literature search, screening titles and abstracts, data extraction, quality assessment, and analysis). The collaborators included Alberta Innovates, the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, the University of Alberta, Cybera, and PolicyWise. Alberta Innovates, which is an accelerator and innovator of research in the province of Alberta, Canada, was the primary source of funding for this project.
VP36 Benefit Cost Analysis Of Electronic Claims Processing System In Ghana
Authors: Addo Rebecca , Nonvignon Justice , Wang Huihui
Published: January 2019

Introduction:

Since the inception of the Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), it has been pursuing a number of provider payment mechanisms that could not only control the continuous escalating costs of claims payout, but also facilitate the claims processing time. In lieu of this, electronic processing of claims (E-claims) was introduced in 2013 as part of the World Bank supported Health Insurance project that sought to facilitate the financial and operational management of the NHIS. It was piloted in 29 health facilities up to March 2014. They reported cost savings made by the NHIS using E-claims, creating interest in scaling it up. However, the comparative effectiveness and cost effectiveness of E-claims to the health system compared to manual claims processing is unknown. Therefore, to provide decision makers with the appropriate information to choose between manual and E-claims processing, this study sought to evaluate the cost-benefit of E-claims.

Methods:

A benefit-cost analysis was used to evaluate the efficiency of E-claims from the perspective of the health system. Health providers and the purchaser (NHIS claims processing center) were the study population. Resource use and costs were obtained from the study population. The volumes and values of claims reimbursed and the claims rejection rate were used as the benefits of claims processing. The incremental benefit-cost ratio (IBCR) was estimated for the provider, purchaser and the entire health system. Analysis was conducted in Microsoft Excel.

Results:

The total cost per claim for providers were USD 1,177.04 and USD 1,240.65 for E-claims and paper claims respectively. The total cost per E-claims and paper claims for the purchaser were 592.17 and 502.19 respectively. Total benefit per E-claim and paper claim processing for the providers were USD 8,562.90 and USD 8,888.37 respectively while that for the purchaser was USD 11,037.62 and USD 8,737.60 respectively. Processing claims electronically led to incremental gains by both providers and purchasers. Providers gained additional USD 2008.51 while the purchaser gained USD 2,300.02. The IBCR was estimated at −19.75, 25.56 and 5.10 for all providers, purchaser and both providers and purchaser of the health system respectively. Thus the IBCR was less than 1for the providers and more than 1 for purchaser and both purchaser and providers.

Conclusions:

The electronic processing of claims is more efficient compared to manual processing in the Ghana NHIS. This provides decision makers with evidence for scaling it up to all the facilities in Ghana.
Buying-shopping disorder—is there enough evidence to support its inclusion in ICD-11?
Authors: Müller Astrid , Brand Matthias , Claes Laurence , Demetrovics Zsolt , de Zwaan Martina , Fernández-Aranda Fernando , Frost Randy O. , Jimenez-Murcia Susana , Lejoyeux Michael , Steins-Loeber Sabine , Mitchell James E. , Moulding Richard , Nedeljkovic Maja , Trotzke Patrick , Weinstein Aviv , Kyrios Michael
Published: January 2019

The phenomenon of buying-shopping disorder (BSD) was described over 100 years ago. Definitions of BSD refer to extreme preoccupation with shopping and buying, to impulses to purchase that are experienced as irresistible, and to recurrent maladaptive buying excesses that lead to distress and impairments. Efforts to stop BSD episodes are unsuccessful, despite the awareness of repeated break-downs in self-regulation, experiences of post-purchase guilt and regret, comorbid psychiatric disorders, reduced quality of life, familial discord, work impairment, financial problems, and other negative consequences. A recent meta-analysis indicated an estimated point prevalence of BSD of 5%. In this narrative review, the authors offer a perspective to consider BSD as a mental health condition and to classify this disorder as a behavioral addiction, based on both research data and on long-standing clinical experience.