About…
The IECS’ Department of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Economic Evaluation develops knowledge and tools to guide decisions aimed at improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of Latin American health systems.
The Department conducts research studies and technical cooperation projects by working together with international entities, governments, national departments and health departments, academic institutions, and health systems in most Latin American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
In 2013, this IECS HTA Department was appointed WHO/PAHO Collaborating Center in Health Technology Assessment, and provides support to projects aimed at replicating WHO programs—regionally and internationally—by conducting research activities and providing human resources to promote health development.
The HTA Department hosts an independent health technology assessment agency that is a member of International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA), as well as RedETSA (American Network of Departments of Health Technology Assessment). Our agency provides information about the effectiveness, safety, cost-effectiveness, and budgetary impact of drugs, devices, programs, diagnostic methods, and other health technologies to a consortium made up of more than 40 public and private health institutions, both from Argentina and other Latin American countries.
The Department conducts systematic reviews, burden of disease studies, economic evaluations based on individual patients or using decision models, cost studies, health-related quality of life research, clinical guidelines, and other projects related to health systems and health economics. We have published more than 100 scientific articles in international journals, and more than 300 HTA reports, which are indexed in INAHTA and in the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination of the University of York.
We have a training program in health technology assessment and economic evaluation that includes workshops and webinars, and a Master’s degree program in clinical effectiveness with emphasis on health technology and economic evaluations.
Our main funding sources are financial endowments, technical and cooperative education programs from international entities, such as the European Union, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Canadian International Development Research Center (IDRC), the US National Institute of Health (NIH), Latin American government agencies, public health funders, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private entities, such as health funders and technology manufacturers.
