What local experts expect from a health technology assessment (HTA) entity in Saudi Arabia: workshop conclusions.

Al-Omar, Hussain Abdulrahman; Attuwaijri, Abdulaziz Abdulhadi; Aljuffali, Ibrahim Abdulrahman

OBJECTIVES Saudi Arabia is undergoing a massive health-care transformation to fulfill its new, national 'Vision 2030.' To align with this objective, Saudi Arabia is establishing a new, independent and evidence-based health technology assessment (HTA) entity to help it maximizes health gains through efficient use of resources. This study was designed to ascertain how local experts perceive the creation of such a national HTA entity in Saudi Arabia; what they think about it and expect from it. METHODS To achieve study aim, we held two workshops in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, each lasting three and a half hours and each hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH). We invited 26 local experts from a variety of professional backgrounds to discuss the establishment of a national HTA entity. RESULTS The findings from experts workshops were structured around four axes, namely vision and remit; services provided and technologies covered; process and method; and implementation and practical considerations. CONCLUSION This paper discusses the findings of the local experts convened at the workshops relative to their expectations for and views about a national HTA entity within Saudi Arabia.