The Swiss Medical Board (SMB) is widely recognised as the Swiss centre of competence in health technology assessment. With science-based facts, it contributes to ensuring that people in positions of responsibility in the healthcare sector have access to the necessary information upon which to base decisions. The SMB thereby contributes to good quality of care and efficient use of resources in healthcare provision. 

The SMB is committed to the best possible use of resources in healthcare in order to optimise care quality for patients.

The SMB develops recommendations for decision-making in the healthcare sector. In doing so it assesses medical, ethical, economic, legal and social aspects of medical services and enables desirable and undesirable effects to be compared (benefits, risks, damage, costs).

The SMB is transparent and involves all stakeholders in the HTA process. Guidelines and recommendations are published on the results. These can be implemented on a voluntary basis. The SMB ensures, by accompanying measures, that the recommendations can be implemented and achieved in a sustainable manner.

The SMB is independent in its selection of topics and also addresses issues that cannot be treated by a service commission. It predominantly analyses sensitive areas and controversial medical interventions that have already been introduced.

The SMB defines itself by a balanced, scientifically based approach which complies with international standards. The selected methodology is tailored as far as possible to the appropriate issues.

• Membership of the SMB is broad based and includes associations of service providers (hospitals and doctors), funding bodies (health insurance companies, cantons), medical industry and citizens’ or patients’ representatives.
• The SMB is widely accepted.
• From 2018, at least two HTAs per year will be carried out on behalf of the Federal Health Office (BAG) as its strategic partner (coordination/assessment/appraisal recommendation to contracting authorities).
• From 2018, at least two other HTAs will be carried out on behalf of the sponsors or third parties.
• The results of the HTAs are widely and transparently communicated. They have a measurable impact.
• Operational funding will be project-specific from 2018, whether through special project contributions by the sponsor organisations or by third-party remuneration.

The SMB intends to achieve its objectives by the following measures:

• The SMB will be equipped by the end of 2017 with the necessary organisational structures to handle its anticipated and growing volume of assignments. The improved organisation of the SMB offices will include more professional structures and workflows with transparent administration, systematic project management, documentation of methods and processes and a scientific secretariat.
• By the end of 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding will be concluded with the BAG for the role of the SMB as strategic partner for HTAs in Federal Government areas of responsibility.
• The membership will be gradually expanded by the end of 2017 by suitable stakeholders (umbrella organisations of the service providers, and patients’ organisations).
• The services and the competencies of the SMB will be made widely known to promote acceptance and to secure contracts. From the middle of 2017, the SMB’s client base will be systematically developed; the tools required for this (e.g. information brochures) are already available.
• The SMB focuses on issues that are systemically relevant within its strategy, and processes them as part of a 3-year plan. The SMB avoids duplications in the selection of issues with the Swiss Federal HTA programme.
• The SMB advocates the sustainable implementation of decisions. Every 3 years, an impact analysis is carried out to measure success.