The Bermuda Health Council recently hosted a team from Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) on Tuesday, 10th September 2019 – Thursday 12th September 2019. The visiting representatives included Casimiro Canha Cavaco Dias (PAHO/WHO World Representative (PWR) Advisor, Health Systems and Services Subregional Program Coordination for the Caribbean, Alexandre Lemgruber, Regional Advisor, Health Technologies in Washington, D.C., and Robin Rojas Cortés, Health Systems and Services; Medicines and Health Technologies (HSS/MT) in Washington, D.C.

This visit accomplished the following:

? Provided recommendations on the implementation of an integrated approach on health technology assessment and rational use of health technologies.

? Provided guidance on establishing health technology assessment and decision-making processes.

? Provided recommendations for enhancing the Health Council’s Health Technology Review (HTRs) process.

? Furthered the planning for transitioning medical coding from ICD-9 to ICD-10; and future considerations for ICD-11.

? Expanded PAHO’s understanding of the Bermuda health system and placed current local challenges within the global context.

? Provided recommendations on criteria and procedures to develop/update a National Essential Medicines List (EML).

? Presented the regional proposal of key indicators for rational use of medicines and other health technologies.

? Presented insights for producing and managing a National Medicines Formulary and achieving better affordability of prescription medications.

PAHO provided key tools and frameworks for conducting comprehensive Health Technology Assessments that go beyond the Council’s current review process. These enhanced models will allow for better decision making within health and more rational use of products and services within the local health system. These sessions supplied a broader understanding of the importance of health system data and collaboration with other countries to determine and improve the quality of care being provided to patients. The recent incorporation of Bermuda Health Council to the HTA Network of the Americas (RedETSA) will be key in this process.

PAHO was established in 1902 and is the world’s oldest public health organization. PAHO works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and the quality of life of people of the Americas. It serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).

• Press release from Bermuda Health Council