Health technology management in Israel: HTA in action

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the history and present situation with health technology assessment (HTA) in Israel. Methods: The method used in this study was a historical analysis based mainly on the knowledge of the authors, but supplemented by the published literature. Results: HTA originated in Israel as a centralized function conducted under the auspice of research, developing into an active multidisciplinary center. Throughout the expansion of the field, HTA was performed in affiliation with several local and international bodies, while providing direct and indirect support at the national level. Today, mainly as a result of vigorous dissemination of the principles, methodology and tools for HTA by the Israeli Center for Technology Assessment in Health Care (ICTAHC), this discipline is increasingly a decentralized activity conducted by a great variety of institutions. Israeli health policy decisions are increasingly based on the results of HTA. Conclusions: ICTAHC's role and functioning has expanded since its beginnings. HTA has become an important part of health care in Israel.