PROCOT – Development, results and advances of the Technical Cooperation Program of the Ministry of Health for technical and economic information on medical devices

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: Due to the scarcity of available evidence and technical-economic information, evaluating medical devices represents challenging work that must address particular characteristics that directly affect the cost-effectiveness ratio. Economic information is required and subject to analysis during several steps until access to the patient. To improve the collection of technical-economic information used by the Ministry of Health, the Technical Cooperation Program PROCOT was created. Methods: Reporting the author’s experience as the creator and developer of the program and search the electronic pages of the Ministry of Health and National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). Results: The Ministry of Health transfers financial resources for financing equipment that occurs from requests submitted in the form of proposals from institutions linked to Unified Health System (SUS). The technical-economic evaluation seeks to ensure compatibility between the technological density of the device and the required value, and it is essential to use information from the market to subsidize the approval of proposals. PROCOT aims to capture this information early from the national market, organizing a data base easily accessible. Collaborating companies are publicized on the Internet and hold presentations as a program to upgrade on health technologies to Ministry analysts. The speed and quality of technical-economic advices were improved, impacting on the faster authorization of the transferences for the supply of technologies to SUS. Conclusion: PROCOT is a successful experiment that can expand its scope of technologies and users, serving as a model for the creation of an international network for the exchange of technical-economic information and evaluations of medical devices.