Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and represents a significant global health concern. Infectious agents can be easily spread through respiratory droplets, and TB patients face a significant risk of mortality. The traditional sputum-based TB

The National Health Security Office Working Group (NHSO WG) conducted structured, evidence-based deliberations to generate recommendations for the National Health Security Board on the kidney replacement therapy (KRT) policy. These are the proposed recommendations: To consider defining KRT p

Australia developed the Life-Saving Drugs Program (LSDP) in 1995 to complement the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), expanding access to high-cost drugs for rare diseases (DRD). This program, funded and administered by the Department of Health and Aged Care, permitted sponsors (often pharmaceuti

Thailand spent 440,023 million baht on healthcare in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2022, of which 257,892 million baht went toward COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccination services. In addition to having higher hospital reserves than in the pre-pandemic period, private hospital

The Cancer Drug Fund (CDF) is a dedicated source of funding in England for increasing patient access to high-cost cancer drugs, with a fixed budget of £340 million per year, operating since 2016. The CDF follows the appraisal by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) whic

This policy brief provides a summary of a recent review of the definition of rare diseases, high cost and how HTA has been used in the case of rare diseases in seven countries. The countries were purposively selected based on them having established HTA policies and availability of resources in the

Open data is widely recognized as valuable, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for up-to-date information systems, leading all sectors to acknowledge its significance in enhancing efficiency, fairness, and societal development. These open data movements observed during

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder characterized by elevated cholesterol levels, significantly increasing the risk of heart disease. Early detection through genetic screening can play a crucial role in preventing serious health outcomes. This study marks the first global eco

President Obama’s health care law is putting new strains on some of the nation’s most hard-pressed hospitals, by cutting aid they use to pay for emergency care for illegal immigrants, which they have long been required to provide.The federal government has been spending $20 billion annually to reimb

Spouses of heart attack victims have an increased risk of depression and anxiety, even if their partner survives, Danish research suggests.The study found that in the year after losing a spouse to a heart attack, partners were three times more likely to start taking anti-depressants.Even if their pa