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Towards greater impact in health technology assessment: horizon scanning for new and emerging technologies in Singapore

Part of: Special Collection - Methods

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 June 2020

Wan Qing Wong Open the ORCID record for Wan Qing Wong [Opens in a new window] ,
Liang Lin ,
Hong Ju  and
Kwong Ng
Wan Qing Wong
Affiliation:
Agency for Care Effectiveness, Ministry of Health, Singapore, College of Medicine Building, 16 College Road, Singapore169854, Singapore
Liang Lin
Affiliation:
Agency for Care Effectiveness, Ministry of Health, Singapore, College of Medicine Building, 16 College Road, Singapore169854, Singapore
Hong Ju
Affiliation:
Agency for Care Effectiveness, Ministry of Health, Singapore, College of Medicine Building, 16 College Road, Singapore169854, Singapore
Kwong Ng*
Affiliation:
Agency for Care Effectiveness, Ministry of Health, Singapore, College of Medicine Building, 16 College Road, Singapore169854, Singapore
*
Author for correspondence: Kwong Ng, E-mail: ng_kwong_hoe@moh.gov.sg
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Abstract

Objectives

To alert policy makers early about emerging health technologies that could significantly impact the healthcare system at the clinical, financial and organizational levels, the Agency for Care Effectiveness (ACE) in Singapore established a horizon scanning system (HSS) in 2019. This paper describes the development of the ACE HSS and showcases its application with cell and gene therapy products as the first example.

Methods

A literature review of existing HSS methods, including the processes of the EuroScan International Network and other overseas horizon scanning agencies, was done to inform the development of our horizon scanning framework. The framework was first applied to the new and emerging cell and gene therapies.

Results

Identification sources, filtration and prioritization criteria, and horizon scanning outputs for the HSS were developed in alignment to international best practices, with recommendations for technology uptake represented by a traffic light system. For the first horizon scanning exercise on cell and gene therapies, forty therapies passed the filtration step, of which eight were prioritized for further assessment. The few early reports developed were used to inform and prepare the healthcare system for their potential introduction, particularly in terms of the need to develop health and funding policies.

Conclusions

Early assessment of prioritized topics has provided support for strategic efforts within the Ministry of Health. Given that ACE's horizon scanning program is still in its infancy, the framework will continue to evolve to ensure relevance to our stakeholders so that it remains fit for purpose for our healthcare system.

Keywords

Early awareness and alert systemsHorizon scanningCell and gene therapiesHealth technologySingapore
Type
Method
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 36 , Issue 4 , August 2020 , pp. 304 - 310
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2020

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