Policy options for strengthening health technology assessment in Iran

Abstract Since health technology-related issues pose ongoing challenges for health systems, ensuring proper Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and its efficient and effective use for health care is essential. After more than a decade since the start of this system in the Iranian health structure, various and scattered HTA groups have been created, which are not under a single, unified policy, indicating a lack of coordination between the units defined in the structure of the HTA system and the decision-making units, and the specific performance of its components cannot be tracked transparently. We conducted a policy analysis study in 4 phases: comparative study, review study, policy analysis, HTA, relying on qualitative interviews with key informants and document analysis, and finally using a focus group discussion approach. As a result, we introduce policy options including maintaining the status quo by implementing a comprehensive strategy, establishing a higher institution under the direct authority of the Minister with specialized committees in the deputy ministries of the Ministry of Health, and establishing a structure independent of the Ministry of Health and within the country's technology system, with their advantages, disadvantages, and requirements, and finally, important recommendations for the formation of a coherent and responsive system.