Supporting national immunization technical advisory groups (NITAGs) in resource-constrained settings. New strategies and lessons learned from the Task Force for Global Health’s Partnership for influenza vaccine introduction

Ba-Nguz, Antoinette; Shah, Adeel; Bresee, Joseph S.; Lafond, Kathryn E.; Cavallaro, Kathy; Shefer, Abigail; Donadel, Morgane; Seward, Jane F.

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.05.046

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…However, many of the NITAGs lack technical expertise and do not have access to credible evidence to conduct meaningful assessments. Moreover, NITAGs only focused on one type of technology (14), while there is a need for LICs to assess other health technologies as well. This is becoming increasingly important with the rate at which new health technologies (e.g.…”

Section: Hta In Low Income Countriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is hence important for any implementer of EDPs to initially verify the existence of any HTA organization within a given context. In some LICs, HTA occurs informally or formally in specific organizations such as the NITAG for vaccines (14). In such cases implementing EDPs may necessitate flexibility whereby the implementers work with any institution that currently produces or uses evidence for decision making on new technologies.…”

Section: Critical Reflections On the Applicability Of Edps In Low Income Countriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Implementing evidence-informed deliberative processes in health technology assessment: a low income country perspective

Kapiriri

Baltussen

Oortwijn

2020

Int J Technol Assess Health Care

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The purpose of this paper is to discuss the potential feasibility and utility of evidence-informed deliberative processes (EPDs) in low income country (LIC) contexts. EDPs are implemented in high and middle income countries and thought to improve the quality, consistency, and transparency of decisions informed by health technology assessment (HTA). Together these would ultimately improve the legitimacy of any decision making process. We argue—based on our previous work and in light of the priority setting literature—that EDPs are relevant and feasible within LICs. The extreme lack of resources necessitates making tough decisions which may mean depriving populations of potentially valuable health technologies. It is critical that the decisions and the decision making bodies are perceived as fair and legitimate by the people that are most affected by the decisions. EDPs are well aligned with the political infrastructure in some LICs, which encourages public participation in decision making. Furthermore, many countries are committed to evidence-informed decision making. However, the application of EDPs may be hampered by the limited availability of evidence of good quality, lack of interest in transparency and accountability (in some LICs), limited capacity to conduct HTA, as well as limited time and financial resources to invest in a deliberative process. While EDPs would potentially benefit many LICs, mitigating the identified potential barriers would strengthen their applicability. We believe that implementation studies in LICs, documenting the contextualized enablers and barriers will facilitate the development of context specific improvement strategies for EDPs.

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Section: Hta In Low Income Countriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Critical Reflections On the Applicability Of Edps In Low Income Countriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing evidence-informed deliberative processes in health technology assessment: a low income country perspective

Kapiriri

Baltussen

Oortwijn

2020

Int J Technol Assess Health Care

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Global Vaccine Action Plan 2011–2020 proposed that all countries establish or have access to a NITAG by 2020; good progress had been made –— as of 2017, nearly 70% of 194 WHO member states (subsequently referred to as countries) reported the establishment of a NITAG [ 5 ]. However, there is variation in the status of countries meeting the process indicators that define a well-functioning NITAG; globally only 98 (73%) of 134 countries with an existing NITAG meet the six process indicators [ 5 , 6 ]. Research demonstrates that, for countries lacking a NITAG, constraints to establishing and sustaining this type of expert advisory body include a lack of human resources, insufficient skills on how to conduct an evidenced-based review and uneven recognition of the NITAG by the ministry of health [ 7 – 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strengthening National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups in resource-limited settings: current and potential linkages with polio national certification committees

Greene

Anya

Asghar

et al. 2020

Health Res Policy Sys

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Background Countries are transitioning assets and functions from polio eradication to integrated immunization and surveillance activities. We assessed the extent of linkages between and perceptions of National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) and National Certification Committees (NCCs) for polio eradication to understand how linkages can be leveraged to improve efficiencies of these expert bodies. Methods During May 2017 to May 2018, we administered a 15-question survey to a NITAG chair or member and an NCC counterpart in all countries of the WHO Regions for Africa (AFR) and for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMR) that had both a NITAG and an NCC. Data were analysed using frequency distributions. Results Of countries with both a NITAG and an NCC (n = 44), the response rate was 92% (22/24) in AFR and 75% (15/20) in EMR. Some respondents reported being very familiar with the functions of the other technical bodies, 36% (8/22) for NITAG members and 38% (14/37) for NCC members. Over 85% (51/59) of respondents felt it was somewhat useful or very useful to strengthen ties between bodies. Nearly all respondents (98%, 58/59) felt that NCC expertise could inform measles and rubella elimination programmes. Conclusions We observed a broad consensus that human resource assets of NCCs may serve an important technical role to support national immunization policy-making. At this stage of the polio eradication initiative, countries should consider how to integrate the technical expertise of NCC members to reinforce NITAGs and maintain the polio essential functions, beginning in countries that have been polio-free for several years.

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“…During 2017, PIVI worked with its country partners and the WHO regional and local offices to assess NITAGs strengthening needs and to provide technical assistance in 7 LMICs (Laos Peoples Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Vietnam, Armenia, Côte d'Ivoire; Moldova and the Republic of Georgia) [27]. In Europe, total cancer drug sales more than doubled between 2005 and 2014, increasing from €8.0 billion to €19.8 billion [28]. Biologics were estimated to account for US$289 billion pharmaceutical sales in 2014 and are projected to reach US$445 billion in 2019.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Cost of Biotech Drug Development and Affordability Issues in LMICs

Mohiuddin

2019

ABEB

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Supporting national immunization technical advisory groups (NITAGs) in resource-constrained settings. New strategies and lessons learned from the Task Force for Global Health’s Partnership for influenza vaccine introduction

Cited by 11 publications

References 17 publications

Implementing evidence-informed deliberative processes in health technology assessment: a low income country perspective

Implementing evidence-informed deliberative processes in health technology assessment: a low income country perspective

Strengthening National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups in resource-limited settings: current and potential linkages with polio national certification committees

Cost of Biotech Drug Development and Affordability Issues in LMICs

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