Advancing health technology assessment in Taiwan
Case study
NICE International is part of the NHS in England’s health technology assessment (HTA) body, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The team supports countries to improve their own nation’s health and wellbeing. It does this by sharing best practice and helping to drive improvements in evidence-based decision-making.
In this case study, we explore NICE International’s collaboration with Taiwan’s Centre for Drug Evaluation (CDE) and National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA). This partnership aims to enhance the evaluation and inclusion of new drugs in Taiwan’s healthcare system, delivering improvements for individuals, the Taiwan health system, and society as a whole.
Chung-Liang Shih, director general of Taiwan’s NHIA
Chung-Liang Shih, director general of Taiwan’s NHIA
“Taiwan aims to play a pivotal role within the international HTA community. Our partnership with NICE International is helping to facilitate this.
"From the establishment of Taiwan’s Cancer Drugs Fund, to setting up our dedicated HTA centre, by working together, we are improving access to clinically and cost-effective new medicines.”
A focus on cancer care
CDE and NHIA began working with NICE International as they were keen to improve patient access to clinically and cost-effective new medicines. HTA plays a crucial role in promoting access to innovative technologies by evaluating their clinical-effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and broader impact. Using a value-based approach, pharmaceutical reimbursement is aligned with the value that a drug brings to patients and the healthcare system, promoting the adoption of high-value treatments.
For Taiwan, cancer care was an area of particular focus. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Taiwan and rapidly evolving treatments for the disease have put significant strain on resources.
To help Taiwan fully understand England’s approach to the effective allocation of health resources, NICE International provided practical advice and tailored support. As well as welcoming a Taiwanese delegation to their London office, they also delivered a series of webinars and presented at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Workshop in Taiwan.
Topics covered included the Cancer Drugs Fund, NHS England’s Innovative Medicines Fund and managed access agreements. These initiatives enable the NHS to access promising new treatments while further evidence is collected to address clinical uncertainty.
Our real-world evidence framework
CDE and NHIA were also keen to learn from NICE’s real-world evidence framework. NICE International responded by delivering a webinar on this topic. As described in the NICE strategy 2021 to 2026, NICE wants to use real-world data to resolve gaps in knowledge and drive forward access to innovations for patients. The framework is mainly targeted at those developing evidence to inform NICE guidance. But it also relevant to other reviewers of evidence, such as international HTA agencies who wish to use real-world data to reduce uncertainties and improve guidance.
Going forward in partnership
NICE International’s collaboration with Taiwan will continue through a recently signed partnership agreement. The agreement is designed to ensure continued information exchange and collaboration.
Signing the partnership agreement. (Left to right: Chao-Chun Wu, Taiwan’s Health Promotion Administration’s director general; Pilar Pinilla-Dominguez, NICE International's associate director; Chung-Liang Shih, NHIA's director general; Shyr-Yi Lin, CDE’s chief executive officer.)
Signing the partnership agreement. (Left to right: Chao-Chun Wu, Taiwan’s Health Promotion Administration’s director general; Pilar Pinilla-Dominguez, NICE International's associate director; Chung-Liang Shih, NHIA's director general; Shyr-Yi Lin, CDE’s chief executive officer.)
Partnership successes and next steps
- In December 2023, the NHIA launched the Center for Health Policy and Technology Assessment. This significant milestone brings Taiwan a step closer to establishing its own independent HTA organisation.
Center for Health Policy and Technology Assessment inauguration ceremony
Center for Health Policy and Technology Assessment inauguration ceremony
- Taiwan has allocated funds for a national Innovative Medicines Fund and Cancer Drugs Fund to give quicker access to the most advanced treatments.
- NHIA and CDE will share data collection insights and real-world evidence with NICE on treatments for rare diseases and cell-based therapy products, advancing evidence-based decision-making in this area.
- Further training with CDE and NHIA staff will take place in the spring and summer of 2024. Wider stakeholders will also be invited to attend a series of lectures. Attendees will include the Taiwanese Ministry of Health and Welfare, healthcare professionals, manufacturers, academia and patients.
- Colleagues from CDE and NHIA will attend the 2024 NICE conference, showcasing the impact of this work.
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