The Polish Pharmacoeconomic Society Sections during the second half of 2012 continue its initially planned activities. 

• Epidemiology and cost of disease – The main focus of the Diseases’ Epidemiology and Costs Section was the methodology and analysis of public data sources (NHF, GUS). The ultimate objective for 2012 was to define and formalize the process of getting access to these sources for scientific purposes. Apart from defining the process, the other objective is to conduct a targeted analysis in the selected disease area regarding e.g. co-morbidity, compliance, indirect costs. After discussions within the Section the process is currently consulted with the decision making bodies.

• Health Technology Assessment – The Section members continue the review of the official HTA guidelines issued in 2009 by AHTAPol in order to provide constructive comments on that document. 

• The Health Related Quality of Life section (HRQoL) –  Section members are currently working on a dictionary of quality of life and utility related terms. At the first meeting the methodology was discussed and agreed by all Section members. As the first step there a search for English terms was made.  Based on the final list each member was assigned the corresponding list of terms to be translated into Polish. At regular meetings the consecutive parts of translations are reviewed and final versions are agreed.

• The Therapeutic Programs and Pharmaceutical Care section (TPPC).

According to the scheduled program meetings Section members continued the discussion regarding the necessary requirements in relation to HTA assessment for biosimilars.

In Poland, as in many other countries, a mandatory assessment of HTA was introduced as part of the reimbursement process.  The need to prepare the HTA dossier in accordance with the Guidelines of the Agency for Health Technology Assessment applies to all applications for reimbursement of new technologies, both drug and non-drug.

At the time of registration of biosimilar drugs a question arises regarding what the decision-making process should look like. What will the criteria to fulfill be in case of biosimilar drugs applying for funding? The process should be defined for different reimbursement options in Poland. It was discussed that the HTA process is to assess not only the cost-effectiveness of the new technologies and the impact on the payer’s budget, but also to evaluate the efficacy and safety compared to standard therapy used. Therefore, bearing in mind the interests of the patient and in order to allocate public funds which are spent in the health sector in the best possible way it seems to be reasonable if biosimilar drugs were subject to the same formalities, including a full assessment of HTA. Examples from other countries were discussed at the meetings and e.g., in Australia, an experienced HTA country, the PBAC agency's guidelines, dedicated to how to prepare documentation for reimbursement in 2008, mentioned biosimilar drugs as an item that should be included in the next edition of the guidelines.

The Section’s conclusion was that it is recommended that AHTAPol should also consider this topic in the process of updating the HTA Guidelines, which, after the introduction of the new reimbursement Act from January 2012 is mandatory.

The other important topic discussed at the Section meetings were the competences of the pharmacist in pharmaceutical care. 

The results of the yearly work of each section will be presented at the next General Meeting, scheduled for December 2012.

At this General Meeting the elections of a new Board of Polish Pharmacoeconomic Society are also planned. 

It is important to mention the significant event which is the 10^th International Anniversary Conference of the Polish Pharmacoeconomic Society.  It will take place in Warsaw, 5^th-7^th December 2012.

The main subject of the conference is "Pharmacoeconomics in Poland - summing up the decade". It will be a unique opportunity to exchange experience with specialists from different countries participating in the event. Among others there are plenary sessions, the ISPOR dedicated session and additional educational workshops planned.