On 30 June 2026, the HTA Council completed the evidence appraisal on the assessment of the In Vitro Qualitative Test Kit for HIV-1 and HIV-2 NAT for screening and diagnosis of HIV-exposed infants below 18 months of age and the In Vitro Quantitative Test Kit for HIV-1 NAT (HIV Viral Load Test) for the quantification of HIV-1 (viral load) in HIV-1-diagnosed individuals. The HTA Council hereby releases its preliminary recommendations on the said health technologies for stakeholder feedback and comments from 30 June 2026 (Tuesday) to 14 July 2026 (Tuesday). 

As a preliminary recommendation, the HTA Council recommends the government financing of the following health technologies:

• In Vitro Qualitative Test Kit for HIV-1 and HIV-2 NAT for screening and diagnosis of HIV-exposed infants below 18 months of age; and
• In Vitro Quantitative Test Kit for HIV-1 NAT (HIV Viral Load Test) for the quantification of HIV-1 (viral load) in HIV-1-diagnosed individuals

Further, the HTA Council recommends that for the qualitative HIV-1 diagnostic test, the DOH may refer to the 2024 WHO Consolidated guidelines on differentiated HIV testing services to guide the selection of specific brands for procurement and implementation. Meanwhile, for the qualitative HIV-2 diagnostic test and quantitative HIV-1 NAT (viral load) test, as there are currently no existing WHO Target Product Profiles (TPPs), the DOH may refer to future TPPs to guide selection.

For the supporting evidence reviewed and discussed by the HTA Council, please refer to the document below.

All comments, inputs, and/or appeals on the preliminary recommendation may be submitted until 14 July 2026 (Tuesday), 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 Council website [https://hta.dost.gov.ph/appeals-2/]. Appeals not following the prescribed format and those submitted beyond the deadline shall not be entertained.