PD59 Formulation and Disclosure Of Information On Technologies In Health

Abstract

Introduction:

The Brazilian public health system (SUS) provides technologies based on the best available scientific evidence. However, there is a large number of lawsuits against the government for access to non-standard technologies, a phenomenon called “judicialization of the right to health”, which disrupts the system's operating logic. The aspect of judicialization that most impacts the health system involves unregistered technologies without scientific evidence of superiority being comparing to the alternatives already offered in the country. The aim of this study is to report experience of the National Committee for Health Technology Incorporation in the Brazilian Health System (CONITEC) to mitigate the effects of the judiciary, with the elaboration of informative documents about technologies directed towards policy-makers, patient, users of system health, professional health and other stakeholders.

Methods:

The main judicialized technologies in the country were identified and then a meeting with experts was realized to discuss a more appropriate format for these documents. After defining the format, a review of the literature was carried out to identify the best available evidence of those health technologies.

Results:

A question-and-answer (QA) format document was drawn. The QA addressed information on the use of the technology for a specific clinical condition. Health registry and price in Brazil, if it has already been evaluated by CONITEC and its respective recommendation, as well as strategies of care and therapeutic alternatives available in the SUS were included. Their content has been adapted to a lay language and all of the documents were made available on the CONITEC website in the “Law and Health Section”.

Conclusions:

The availability of QA represents a strong link between evidence and actions in health. For, they enable broad access to quality information by the lay public and stakeholders who seek information to support evidence-based decision-making.