Development and implementation of health technology assessment in Argentina: two steps forward and one step back.

摘要: Objectives The objectives of this study are to review the financing and organization Argentine healthcare system, licensing drug price setting mechanisms, benefit packages coverage policies pharmaceuticals other medical technologies, as well development HTA in Argentina, role Institute Clinical Effectiveness Health Policy (IECS) an agency. Finally, perspectives future a tool make resource-allocation decisions priority Argentina is discussed. Methods discussion/review based largely on experiences authors, but supported by available literature. Results upper-middle income country with major problems related both equity efficiency. Its system consists multitier divided three large sectors: public, social security, private, where federal Ministry has rather limited national health policy stewardship. Many Argentina's shortcomings due part its pluralistic fragmented system. In past decade, like many Latin American countries, undergone profound reform Whereas some reforms were specific each country, common issue among all them was establish mechanism that ensured more efficient allocation scarce resources, guaranteed wider provision services basis local population needs equity. Although signals from government congress show there plans formally incorporate inform reimbursement policies, these still very weak. Paradoxically, even though first region require formal economic evidence for adoption technologies into mandatory package "fourth hurdle" no longer required. Nevertheless, increasing interest demand explicit transparent process include decision making, most stakeholders. Conclusions conclusion, what needed clear political will push forward agency that, similar developed advance regulation new improve not only technical or allocative efficiency, also Until milestone accomplished, production use continue mirror current