Abstract
The Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) has operated the Universal Health Coverage Benefits Package Development Project since 2009. The project aims to develop the health benefit package to be covered under UCS with transparent and participatory process involving stakeholders based on evidence. The researchers reviewed the document related to the development of benefit package in 2009-2015 and participated in the meetings of development of benefit package, starting from proposal development, prioritization and selection of health technologies, assessment of health technologies, and results presentation in stakeholder meetings. During 2009-2015, there were 133 health technologies or health topics nominated by the stakeholders. Among the topics nominated, health care package, drug and vaccine, medical devices, screening and treatment topics were nominated at 31%, 25%, 23%, and 21% respectively. Out of the 133 topics, 65 were selected for the health technology assessment, 45 were completed, and 26 were presented to the Sub Committee for the Development of Benefits Package and Service Delivery (SCBP). The SCBP made the decision to include 9 topics in the benefit package, 2 more topics were interpreted as already included in the package, 10 topics were requested for further evidence, and 5 topics excluded. Among the 9 topics selected by the SCBP, the topics that were finally implemented in the UCS were the HLA-B*15:02 screening for carbamazepine-induced severe adverse drug reactions, and the refractive error screening by school teachers in pre-primary and primary schools in Thailand.
