Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Comparison Report published
24.06.14
Commissioned by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) the report updates a previous study conducted in 2011.
The study and report compiled by consultants Charles River Associates covers a range of countries globally, and adds new markets compared to its 2011 edition, including emerging markets with formal conventional HTA systems in place. With individual country cards, it compares 16 conventional HTA systems against a set of best practice principles regarding scope and prioritization, methodology, process and impact of HTA.
Whilst the study finds that there have been improvements with respect to transparency as well as timeliness of some processes, concerns remain regarding the lack of clarity on the link between price, reimbursement, market access and HTA assessments. In particular, HTA, which is still primarily applied to new pharmaceutical products, does not seem to support faster access to innovative treatments. Analyzing recommendations across different systems, the study underscores how different HTA processes lead to diverging results, and that systems based on cost-effectiveness thresholds seem to lead to an increase in the number of recommendations restricting the use of innovative oncology medicines.
The study’s findings are especially relevant for emerging markets, where operational barriers are still high, as they consider how to use evidence-informed decision making processes to improve patient access to health care. Information on the budget requirements of existing conventional HTA agencies shows the substantial resources required to maintain institutions that conduct conventional HTA processes, a critical consideration for countries that do not have HTA systems in place.
A wide variation among markets still exists when it comes to formal processes for patient involvement in HTA. The report’s findings underscore the importance of patient-centered, evidence-informed and holistic approaches to effectively and efficiently increase equitable access to quality healthcare services.
The study is available here.