OBJECTIVES: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the main cause of cancer-related deaths in Latin America (LatAm). We aimed to identify trends in health technology assessment (HTA) for this disease in Argentina (ARG), Brazil (BRA), Colombia (COL), and Mexico (MEX).

METHODS: Pragmatic literature review to identify HTA reports published from 2016-2022 assessing NSCLC technologies in Biblioteca Virtual en Salud, PubMed, Lilacs, EMBASE, supplemented by manual search in government websites for HTA, regulatory and reimbursement data.

RESULTS: 23 reports were retrieved evaluating 16 technologies including pembrolizumab (3), osimertinib (3), nivolumab (2),nintedanib (2), crizotinib (2) among others. Reports produced and outcomes: ARG (12): public body CONETEC 3 (negative or conditions to be met for coverage); IECS 9 (3 negative, 6 no recommendation); BRA (10): public body CONITEC 2 (1 positive leading to reimbursement, 1 negative), ANS 8 (4 positive leading to reimbursement, 4 negative); Many technologies were reimbursed in COL and MEX, but public reports were scarce (COL’ IETS 1, MEX’s CSG published reimbursed therapies and methodological guidelines only). Average time from marketing authorization to HTA publication was 4 years (2-5). Technologies (5) assessed multiple times had inconsistent outcomes. Positive drivers were unmet need, therapeutic benefit, quality of evidence, and cost-effectiveness. High budget impact and risk of bias of clinical data negatively impacted HTA outcomes. Although stakeholders (including patients) were involved in several HTA´s in BRA and ARG, their impact in recommendations was difficult to determine from the reports.

CONCLUSIONS: 78% of HTAs were negative or no recommendation was given for NSCLC technologies in ARG and BRA. MEX and COL did not publish their assessments. Information sharing between HTA agencies, collaborative involvement of stakeholders and documents produced publicly available are needed to improve transparency, align data expectations, and feasible submissions.