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As of 19 June 2025, the Health Technology Assessment Council has completed the evidence appraisal on the assessment of the following health technologies for possible government financing:

  • Interferon gamma release ELISA assay (IGRA) for screening of latent/ asymptomatic tuberculosis 
  • Chip-based Reverse Transcriptase- Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Test for diagnosis of drug-susceptible tuberculosis (DS-TB)
  • Cartridge-based RT-PCR test for diagnosis of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB)
  • Chip-based RT-PCR test for diagnosis of RR-TB
  • Line probe assay (LPA) for diagnosis of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
  • LPA for diagnosis of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB)
  • Cartridge-based RT-PCR test for diagnosis of XDR-TB
  • Lateral flow urine lipoarabinomannan assay (LF-LAM) for diagnosis of active tuberculosis infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients

These health technologies were reviewed against clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) [local and approved by the DOH, such as the DOH Omnibus Health Guidelines (OHG); and/or international, but locally adopted guidelines], and existing recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO). Further, costing analyses of these health technologies were performed. The specific recommendations and the supporting evidence reviewed and considered by the HTA Council are shown in Annex A of the Advisory on the Preliminary HTA Council Recommendation (attached below).

The HTA Council recommends that the Department of Health refer to existing and future WHO target product profiles (TPPs) when selecting tests for procurement. In the absence of target product profiles, WHO prequalification may be used as a requirement to ensure the quality of the test to be procured.

All comments, inputs, and/or appeals on the above preliminary recommendation may be submitted until 04 July  2025 (Friday), for the consideration of the HTA Council, through email at hta@dost.gov.ph. 

Please use the prescribed form for appeals indicated on the official HTA Philippines website [https://hta.dost.gov.ph/appeals-2/]. Appeals not following the prescribed format, and those submitted beyond the deadline shall not be entertained.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the preliminary recommendation, please do not hesitate to contact us through the same email address or via telephone call at (02) 8837-2071 local 4100.  

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