HTA acts as ‘a bridge’ between evidence and policy-making. It seeks to provide health policy-makers with accessible, useable and evidence-based information to guide their decisions about the appropriate use of technology and the efficient allocation of resources.
In contrast to the licensing processes for drugs and medical devices, which assess quality, safety and efficacy, HTA focuses on ‘the value’ (clinical and economic) of the technology relative to current (or best) clinical practice. HTA can help policy-makers decide which technologies are effective and which are not, and define the most appropriate indications for their use. HTA can reduce or eliminate interventions that are unsafe and ineffective, or whose cost is too high compared with the benefits.
Patients have something to say about all aspects of an HTA, but the most important thing they can contribute is a description of the benefits or unwanted effects of a healthcare technology. No one else can explain the impact of a disease or a healthcare technology, better than a patient. However, it’s not easy to understand how to put these important views, needs and preferences into a form of evidence that can be used by a HTA organisation.
EPDA position
The EPDA are currently reviewing their position with regard to Health technology assessment (HTA).
Further information
Health Equality Europe (HEE) has released the document "A Guide to Understanding HTA for Patients and the Public" that describes how patients and the public can get involved in decisions about what healthcare should be available. It can also be used to help raise awareness of patient needs.
The guide is written for patient organisations who want to represent the views of patients but may not clearly understand what HTA is and how they can contribute. The guide is recommended to carers and the public, but also those who undertake HTA and are seeking ways of improving their involvement.
The guide is available for download below and is published in English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese.
