Agency for Care Effectiveness - ACE

Selamat Hari Raya Haji ✨

From all of us at ACE, we wish those celebrating a meaningful and peaceful Hari Raya Haji.

May this occasion bring reflection and a renewed sense of purpose, as we continue working together to improve care for all.

Hypertension is often called a “silent” condition — but its effects are far from invisible.

In Singapore, more than 1 in 3 adults has hypertension, and over half remain undiagnosed. If left unmanaged, it can lead to serious complications such as stroke, heart disease, and kidney damage.

Managing hypertension involves more than just lowering blood pressure. It includes understanding overall cardiovascular risk and taking appropriate steps — from lifestyle changes to treatment where needed.

👉 This World Hypertension Day, read our ACG on hypertension here: https://go.gov.sg/acefb311

🎉We are pleased to share that ACE has published two articles in the International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, highlighting Singapore's journey in strengthening patient involvement in health technology assessment (HTA)!

📄The first publication - "Patient involvement in health technology assessment: a new process in Singapore" describes ACE’s approach to identifying relevant local patient organisations through stakeholder mapping, co-developing processes with these organisations, and building capacity to support meaningful patient input.

📄The second publication - "Establishing a Consumer Panel to Inform Health Technology Assessment Processes and Policy: impact and insights from Singapore's experience", outlines ACE's approach to establishing the Consumer Panel and highlights its contributions. These include co-developing patient involvement processes and educational resources, supporting health literacy efforts, and strengthening collaboration between ACE and patient communities. Panel members Prof Lau Tang Ching and Dr Ritu Jain also contributed to this article as co-authors.

These publications demonstrate ACE’s ongoing efforts to strengthen patient voices in healthcare decision-making.

Click the links below to read the full articles:

1. https://go.gov.sg/acefb308

2. https://go.gov.sg/acefb309

Find out more about how you can contribute to ACE’s work: https://go.gov.sg/acefb310

📖 Our latest CEE Updates is now available! We are excited to share that ACE has published two articles in the International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, featuring patient involvement in the health technology assessment (HTA) processes in Singapore, as well as the establishment of the ACE Consumer Panel and its contributions.

📚 We have also developed two new HTA learning modules to help patients better understand clinical effectiveness and the PICO framework. New patient education aids and Plain English summaries are also available to make healthcare information more accessible.

🌟 Last but not least, we extend our sincere thanks to the ACE Consumer Panel members for strengthening patient voices in healthcare decision-making. Through shaping ACE’s patient involvement initiatives and helping us build meaningful partnerships between patients and healthcare decision-makers, your contributions have been invaluable. We look forward to continuing our work together to improve healthcare in Singapore.

Read more about our recent educational resources and patient engagement activities in our latest CEE Updates: https://go.gov.sg/acefb307

Living with atopic dermatitis? This common skin condition affects people of all ages, causing dry, itchy patches that can be frustrating to manage.

The good news? With the right approach - such as gentle moisturising routines and using prescribed treatments when needed - many people are able to keep their symptoms under control.

But we know you might still be wondering:

•Can I still enjoy swimming?
•Are there foods I should avoid?
•How can I prevent flare-ups?

Get answers to these questions in our latest patient education aid on atopic dermatitis: https://go.gov.sg/acefb305

As the ACE Consumer Panel completes its two-year term (2024-2026), we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the Panel’s contributions to strengthening patient involvement in health technology assessment (HTA) in Singapore.

Through their expertise, insights, and commitment, the Panel has helped shape ACE's consumer engagement initiatives and ensure that patient voices are heard in healthcare decision-making.

We thank all Panel members for their partnership in advancing meaningful patient involvement. We look forward to continuing to involve patients and their carers in HTA in the years ahead.

🎥 Watch our appreciation video to see highlights from the past two years.

Find out more about how patients and carers can contribute to the HTA process in Singapore: https://go.gov.sg/acefb303

🌍 This World Health Day, we are reminded that better health outcomes start with good evidence.

At ACE, we review clinical evidence and conduct Health Technology Assessments (HTA) to inform healthcare decisions in Singapore — from subsidy decisions to clinical guidance.
Our work helps ensure that patients receive treatments that are safe, clinically effective and cost-effective, and that healthcare resources are used where they make the most difference.

By translating scientific evidence into action, ACE supports more accessible and affordable care for Singaporeans.

Immunotherapy is one of the treatment options for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and several immunotherapy drugs are subsidised in Singapore for this condition.

Learn more about immunotherapy drugs for advanced NSCLC in our latest factsheet: go.gov.sg/acefb295