Associate Professor Haitham Tuffaha

About
I am Acting Director and an Associate Professor at the Centre for the Business and Economics of Health at The University of Queensland. I lead Health Technology Assessment for the Centre, which involves the economic evaluation of health interventions. I have pioneered the application of Value of Information analysis as an innovative approach to ensure clinical trials are efficiently designed and prioritised to maximise return on investment.
I have extensive experience working with key stakeholders including consumers, clinicians, decision makers and researchers. I have led several projects for the Department of Health and other leading organisations to promote the safe, effective, and cost-effective use of health interventions in multiple settings and populations. I currently co-lead The University of Queensland Evaluation Services Team (QUEST), a group of researchers who provide evidence-based recommendations to the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee regarding medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. I am Chair of the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia's (COSA)-Epidemiology Group, the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA)-Research Prioritisation Group and the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR)-Oncology Group. I am an Associate Editor for Value in Health, and an Editorial Board Member for Medical Decision Making and PharmacoEconomics-open journals.
Research interests
Health technology assessment: comprehensive assessment of the safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of new health interventions.
Value of information analysis: estimating the health and monetary gain from conducting clinical trials and cohort studies.
Cancer economics: evaluating the health and economic impact of interventions for cancer prevention, early detection, management, and survivorship.
Research impact
My research has significantly influenced health policy in Australia and internationally and was pivotal in the allocation of almost $1 billion in new drugs and medical technologies in Australia over the past ten years. My research program about evaluating new health technologies using Value of Information/implementation analyses led to a paradigm shift in the economic evaluation of new interventions and improved patient access to health innovations (e.g., genetic testing, targeted therapies). My research shifted the way clinical trials are prioritised and funded towards a value-based approach, which informed the development of the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance Research Prioritisation Framework.
I have published over 80 peer reviewed articles and technical reports for leading organisations, including 36 technical reports for the Australian Government on the economic evaluation of novel drugs, devices and services for a range of conditions including cancer, genetic testing, cardiovascular disease and liver disease.
Featured projects
Project title | Funding amount | Duration |
---|---|---|
The value of genetic testing for Prostate Cancer Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia | $150k | 2022 - 2023 |
Emerging and adjunct treatments for PTSD and other mental health conditions affecting veterans: a rapid evidence assessment Gallipolli Medical Research Foundation | ~$10k | 2022 - 2022 |
Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee assessment unit Commonwealth Department of Health | Confidential | 2021 - 2025 |
Spillover Effects of Military Service on Health and Wellbeing in Veteran Families Gallipolli Medical Research Foundation | ~$100k | 2021 - 2022 |
Enhancing treatment outcomes after gynaecological cancer (ACUMEN): Using exercise to promote health after cancer therapy MRFF- Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet need | $2.2m | 2020 - 2023 |
Medical Services Advisory Committee assessment unit Commonwealth Department of Health | Various | 2022 - 2025 |
Contact
To discuss research opportunities, please email me. I am also active on social media.
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