The role of health technology assessment in pharmaceuticalsreimbursement in Poland
The methodology of health technology assessment has been introduced into Polish health care system officially in 2005, and practically in 2006. It is provided by the Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AOTM, AHTAPol), the institution which role is advisory for the Minister of Health. AOTM collects evidence, performs analysis and independently delivers recommendations on financing health care benefits of public funds. The main part of AOTM tasks concerns drug technologies. We describe Agency’s procedures fulfilling the processes of the assessment of drug technologies, their background according to actual legislation as well as methodology. We explain the directions and the strength of potential impact of AOTM recommendations on the final administrative decision on financing the drug of public funds.