As of 19 February 2026, the Health Technology Assessment Council has completed the evidence appraisal on the assessment of Erlotinib, Gefitinib, and Afatinib for the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), for government financing. The HTA Council hereby releases its preliminary recommendation on the said health technologies for stakeholder feedback and comments from 19 February to 05 March 2026.

These health technologies were reviewed vis-à-vis the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) marketing authorization status, clinical practice guidelines (CPGs)[local and approved by the Department of Health (DOH), such as the DOH Omnibus Health Guidelines (OHG); and/or international CPGs adopted by the relevant local medical society], and existing recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO). Furthermore, a cost analysis of the use of the health technologies was performed.

As a preliminary recommendation, the HTA Council recommends the government financing of (1) Erlotinib, (2) Gefitinib, and (3) Afatinib for first-line therapy of patients with EGFR-positive advanced or metastatic NSCLC. All three are recommended for EGFR exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R mutation. Additionally, Afatinib is preferred for EGFR S768I, L861Q, and/or G719X mutations, while Erlotinib and Gefitinib are other recommended options.

Kindly be apprised that a separate recommendation will be released for Osimertinib for patients with EGFR-positive early-stage, locally advanced, or metastatic NSCLC, after full assessment by the HTA Council.

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

All comments, inputs, and/or appeals on the above preliminary recommendation may be submitted for consideration by 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 contact us through the same email address.