Adopting Health Technologies in Israel and England

Health systems worldwide are challenged by the need to prioritize and fund rapidly evolving health technologies. The methodology of health technology assessment (HTA) incorporates benefits, costs, and social implications, supporting prioritization of public coverage regarding national health policy. The aim of this study is to identify, analyze, and compare key considerations in the adoption of medical technologies reflecting the national health policies in Israel and England. All Israeli pharmaceuticals approved for public funding during 2020–2022 (287) were analyzed and compared with England recommendations concerned clinical effectiveness, economic considerations, and social values. Both health systems demonstrated 49% agreement regarding approval of funding recommendations policy, while in oncology, diabetes, and hematology, this reached 60%–65%. In both health systems, adoption was determined by clinical impact considering the disease burden and regarding the added value of the innovative technology compared with existing treatments, followed by social considerations. Budget considerations prevail in England. This relatively high resemblance in adoption decisions between England and Israel may emerge from similar principles of accountability for public coverage of medical care. In addition, it may also be driven by the forefront of innovative technological research worldwide and global interest. Nevertheless, economic considerations differ between the 2 health systems, introducing policy discrepancies or tactical diversity.