Article type
Abstract
Background: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) include globally agreed efforts to face the most urgent challenges for the 2030 agenda. In this sense, Health Technology Assessment (HTA) can contribute to decision-making by different agencies and governments and collaborate with local advances and global SDGs. Within the scope of the Brazilian Public Health System, the HTA is the responsibility of the National Committee for Health Technology Incorporation (Conitec), which advises the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MoH) on decisions to incorporate, exclude, or change health technologies, through which health care and attention are provided to the population.
Objectives: To analyze HTA decisions in Brazil that relate to the SDG.
Methods: Documentary analysis of health technology recommendations published by the MoH on the website of the Conitec was carried out. All documents published between 2020 and 2023 were qualitatively evaluated in relation to their contribution to the SDG.
Results: Among the 358 HTAs carried out by Conitec between 2020 and 2023, there were decisions favorable to the inclusion or change of medicines, vaccines, diagnostic products, equipment, and clinical practice guidelines. Prevention, treatment, and monitoring measures for the population were the main subjects, involving different age groups and health conditions. In relation to the SDGs, most health technologies contributed to objective 3—Health and Well-being, with an emphasis on objective 3.3 on combating AIDS, tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases, hepatitis, and other communicable diseases; objective 3.4 on premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases; objective 3.7 on universal access to sexual and reproductive health services; objectives 3.8 and 3.b on access to medicines and vaccines; objective 3.a on tobacco control; and goal 5.6 of gender equality.
Conclusions: Scientific evidence contributes to global efforts. Using HTA, Conitec recommends incorporation of or changes to health technologies, fulfilling the SDGs and strengthening Brazilian Public Health System in a sustainable manner.
Objectives: To analyze HTA decisions in Brazil that relate to the SDG.
Methods: Documentary analysis of health technology recommendations published by the MoH on the website of the Conitec was carried out. All documents published between 2020 and 2023 were qualitatively evaluated in relation to their contribution to the SDG.
Results: Among the 358 HTAs carried out by Conitec between 2020 and 2023, there were decisions favorable to the inclusion or change of medicines, vaccines, diagnostic products, equipment, and clinical practice guidelines. Prevention, treatment, and monitoring measures for the population were the main subjects, involving different age groups and health conditions. In relation to the SDGs, most health technologies contributed to objective 3—Health and Well-being, with an emphasis on objective 3.3 on combating AIDS, tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases, hepatitis, and other communicable diseases; objective 3.4 on premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases; objective 3.7 on universal access to sexual and reproductive health services; objectives 3.8 and 3.b on access to medicines and vaccines; objective 3.a on tobacco control; and goal 5.6 of gender equality.
Conclusions: Scientific evidence contributes to global efforts. Using HTA, Conitec recommends incorporation of or changes to health technologies, fulfilling the SDGs and strengthening Brazilian Public Health System in a sustainable manner.