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Evaluating options for decision making on costly hospital drugs in Austria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 May 2020

Sarah Wolf
Affiliation:
Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment GmbH, Garnisongasse 7/20, 1090Vienna, Austria
Ingrid Zechmeister-Koss
Affiliation:
Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment GmbH, Garnisongasse 7/20, 1090Vienna, Austria
Nicole Grössmann
Affiliation:
Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment GmbH, Garnisongasse 7/20, 1090Vienna, Austria
Claudia Wild
Affiliation:
Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment GmbH, Garnisongasse 7/20, 1090Vienna, Austria

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to suggest options for a national and standardized process for the reimbursement of costly drugs provided in Austrian hospitals.

Methods

For answering the research questions, reimbursement processes of ten countries were investigated and the strengths and weaknesses of elaborated options of actions were analyzed, resulting in suggestions for solutions in the Austrian reimbursement processes for hospital drugs.

Results

Based on the information derived from the international analysis and the deliberation of the strengths and weaknesses on optional approaches, as well as, on the consideration of the existing reimbursement processes in Austria, three options to reorganize the current decentralized inpatient reimbursement process in Austria were suggested. The first option presents a process following the established processes of the decision making for outpatient drugs. The second option suggests stronger coordination of and cooperation across the existing processes of the nine regional “Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committees”. The third option proposes to expand the already established reimbursement process for non-drug interventions.

Conclusions

Evidence-based, transparent, fair and efficient resource allocations are needed for priority setting decisions. However, a decision process can be based on the best available evidence, can be fair and transparent, although it might be substantially more time-consuming. Thus, a pragmatic balance between quality, transparency and timeliness is crucial.

Type
Policy
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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