The development of health technology assessment in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to describe the developing health technology assessment (HTA) activities in Brazil, both historically and in the present day. METHODS This report is a descriptive analysis based on personal experiences of the authors and on selected literature. RESULTS Interest in HTA in Brazil began in the mid-1980s. Several seminars and consultations were held, often with invited foreign participants. A cadre of people with knowledge and expertise in HTA was gradually developed. In 2003, several policies were developed by the federal government of Brazil to encourage HTA and base clinical, management, and policy decisions on HTA. During the past 5 years, institutional development has been rapid in government, private companies (mainly prepaid health plans), academia, and research institutes. Further policy changes are needed to maximize the impact of these developments. Nevertheless, although the growing network of HTA programs will have a considerable impact on Brazilian health care, further institutional development could stimulate this change. CONCLUSIONS It would be desirable if the Federal Ministry of Health of Brazil were to proceed to develop a national agency for HTA.