The Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program Foundation (HITAP) is an autonomous research institute in Thailand, known for its expertise in health technology assessment (HTA), which provides evidence to support Thailand’s universal coverage benefits package for medicines, health services, programmes and procedures, and vaccines through collaborations with policy-makers such as the National Health Security Office and the Thai Ministry of Public Health. HITAP has a proven track record of its HTA research, especially economic evaluations, continuously impacting Thai public health policy. One of its early works on cost-effectiveness analysis of renal replacement therapy in end-stage renal disease played a key role in shaping Thailand’s dialysis policy under Thai Universal Coverage Scheme, leading to the development of a comprehensive program which consider not only treatment choice but also access to the service. In addition, HITAP has a diverse set of skills in the sphere of health systems research (using quantitative and qualitative methods) and collaborates with partners globally to promote the use of evidence in healthcare decision-making.
Building on its technical expertise in HTA, HITAP has conducted programme evaluations and health service research commissioned by domestic and international agencies in both Thailand and other partners such as Myanmar, Timor Leste and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. As part of its international work, HITAP has supported the development of HTA in countries such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bhutan, Lao PDR, Senegal, Ghana and Kenya. HITAP has also developed resources for HTA researchers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, such as the Guide to Health Economic Analysis and Research (GEAR) and knowledge products such as an evidence package on “Non-communicable Disease Prevention: Best Buys, Wasted Buys, and Contestable Buys”, which was co-authored by global expert teams around the world. HITAP works closely with its regional partners through the Strengthening Active Partnerships for Policy and Health Intervention Research and Evaluation (SAPPHIRE), which includes Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan. In recognition of its efforts, in 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) cited HITAP as a research institute that was pivotal for the advancement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and, in 2019, the Wellcome Trust and Overseas Development Institute of the United Kingdom acknowledged HITAP as a health innovation/catalyst to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The HITAP International Unit (HIU) is committed to enhancing capacity building and strengthening partnerships with country collaborators through three strategic pillars: policy catalyst (cultivating and developing existing skills and knowledge), ambassadors (strengthening partnerships), and knowledge translators (facilitating effective knowledge management). Additionally, HITAP has expanded its scope to address emerging methods and priorities in HTA and health system research, including digital health, precision medicine, environmental health, and health equity as well as data science.
As a joint secretariat with the Ministry of Public Health, HITAP supports a priority programme under the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2022–2026, focusing on the convergence of digital health platforms and the implementation of health information systems in Thailand. In collaboration with partners, HITAP is developing reference cases for conducting economic evaluations of digital health and precision medicine interventions. Furthermore, its partnership with the Medical Innovation Development and Assessment Support (MIDAS), an entity functioning independently under HITAP aims to inform the research and development process, minimize resource inefficiencies, and align the priorities of both policymakers and developers. These initiatives exemplify HITAP’s adaptive approach to addressing complex and evolving challenges in global healthcare systems.
For more information, please visit our websites: https://www.hitap.net/en/ and https://thesapphire.health/
History of HITAP
- In 2007, Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP) was formally established under the Bureau of Policy and Strategy, Ministry of Public Health.
- In 2008, HITAP supported the development of a quality-of-life measurement tool for Thailand, which is necessary for the conduct of HTA.
- In 2008, HITAP in collaboration with Mahidol University developed a standard cost list for health care services with the aim that academia, researchers, and those who are interested were equipped with needed data on cost items.
- In 2009, cost-effectiveness of drugs was included as a criterion for drug inclusion considerations for the National List of Essential Medicine. HITAP representatives have acted as a member of Health Economic Working Group under the Subcommittee for the Development of National List of Essential Medicine since then.
- In 2009, the Subcommittee for Development of Benefit Package and Service Delivery under the National Health Security Office (NHSO) appointed the International Health Policy Foundation (IHPF) and HITAP to work as the secretary of the Subcommittee, producing methodologically sound research to inform decisions for the development of the benefit package under the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS).
- In 2009, HITAP and other experts in HTA developed methodological guidelines for the conduct of HTA in Thailand. The guidelines were endorsed by the Subcommittee for Development of National List of Essential Medicine as a national standard methodology for conducting such studies in Thailand.
- In 2010, HITAP, in collaboration with Consortium of Thai Medical Schools, promoted rational use of drugs. As a mentor, HITAP provided technical support to medical school personnel in conducting HTA studies.
- In 2010, HITAP together with HTA bodies in Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia established HTA network for countries in Asia and Pacific region, referred to as ‘HTAsiaLink’.
- In 2010, HITAP Foundation (HITAF) was established to manage and support HITAP’s work.
- In 2011, HITAP started developing the new volume of the HTA process guidelines, detailing the steps for conducting a HTA study.
- In 2013, HITAP and other experts in health made a move to push through the Resolution of the World Health Organization (WHO) regional committee for South-East Asia on Health Intervention and Technology Assessment in Support of Universal Health Coverage.
- In 2014, HITAP International Unit (HIU) was established with the objective to provide technical and other supports on HTA for developing countries for institutionalized HTA system in those countries.
- In 2014, HITAP and other experts in health made a move to push through the Resolution of the World Health Organization (WHA67.23) on Health Intervention and Technology Assessment in Support of Universal Health Coverage.
- In 2014, HITAP published the quality-of-life measurement tool and the methodological guidelines for the conduct of HTA in Thailand. Currently, the guidelines are at their second edition.
- In 2014, HITAP drafted the National Health Assembly resolution on the development of processes for health technology assessment and decision-making, serving as the secretariat for the drafting process.
- In 2016, HITAP co-hosted the Prince Mahidol Award Conference (PMAC 2016) under the theme Priority Setting for Universal Health Coverage.
- In 2017, HITAP launched the “Ting Hing – Linking Research to Policy” project to build the capacity of early-career researchers interested in HTA.
- In 2020, HITAP received the Bronze Award at the Thailand Research Expo for its study on Developing Protocols for Rationing Scarce Critical-Care Resources (Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Beds and Ventilators) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand.
- In 2021, HITAP published the updated Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Guideline for Thailand, 2021 edition.
- In 2021, HITAP received the Science and Technology Award from the Thailand Toray Science Foundation.
- In 2021, HITAP received the Silver Award at the Thailand Research Expo for its Evaluation of the Pilot Program on Drug-Dispensing Services in Pharmacies to Reduce Hospital Overcrowding Phase II
- In 2022, HITAP was appointed as the Secretariat of the HTAsiaLink network.
- In 2022, HITAP received the Silver Award at the Thailand Research Expo for its Understanding the impact of COVID-19 to improve our health care system responses: Turning crisis into opportunities.
- In 2023, HITAP established Medical Innovation Development and Assessment Support Unit (MIDAS) and initiated early health technology assessment (Early HTA) activities to support Thai researchers and innovators in developing and making informed decisions on health innovations from the early stages, thereby increasing the likelihood of innovations meeting the real needs of the health system.
- In 2024, HITAP established three new units: the Precise Interventions Unit (PI), the Environmental Economic Unit (E2U), and Research International Unit (RIU).
- In 2024, HITAP received the Silver Award at the Thailand Research Expo for the Developmental Evaluation for Seamless Healthcare Services through “One ID Card Smart Hospital” Policy
