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Abstract
Newborn screening (NBS) programs are subject to inter- and intra-country variations, especially after the introduction of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Access to MS/MS and variations in interpretation of available evidence seem to explain these differences. Cost considerations have had a minor role on funding decisions given the low direct costs to screen an additional disorder by MS/MS and their low frequency. In order to reduce the wide inter-regional observed variations in NBS in Spain, the Ministry of Health supported by the Spanish Network for Health Technology Assessment developed an evidence-based policy decision process guided by a series of effectiveness and cost–effectiveness reports.
Declaration of interest
This work was funded by the collaboration agreement between the Carlos III Health Institute, an autonomous organization of the Ministry of Economics and Competitiveness, and the Canary Islands Foundation of Research and Health (FUNCANIS). This work was undertaken by SESCS in the framework of the activities run by the Network of Health Technology Assessment Agencies funded by the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.