Improving access to new health technologies, tackling inequity, and making Health Technology Assessment (HTA) processes easier for consumers and clinicians are among 50 recommendations in the final report of the HTA review.
The HTA report, released by the Federal Government, informs government decisions to fund and subsidise health technologies through programs such as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Medicare Benefits Schedule and National Immunisation Program.
Health technology assessment involves a range of processes and mechanisms that use scientific evidence to assess health technologies for their quality, safety, efficacy, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
The HTA Review Report is a consensus report overseen by a Reference Committee that represent the views of experts and patient organisations, First Nations peoples, scientific and clinical practice, industry and government.
Consultation was detailed and extensive, with 28 deep dive discussions with experts and stakeholders, and more than 250 submissions received across two public consultations.
The government is also releasing the companion report to the HTA Review, the “Enhance HTA Report”, which delivers 10 recommendations to elevate the consumer and patient voice in our health technology assessment processes.
The recommendations in the companion Enhance HTA Report were co-designed by a multi-stakeholder consumer led working group representing patients and consumer organisations, the industry and government.
The government will establish an implementation group to guide the HTA reform process and provide regular updates to government.
This independent group will be led by an eminent Australian and will include representation from the Commonwealth and state and territory governments, as well as industry, consumers and clinicians, as well as the expertise of a health economist.
The government will carefully consider the recommendations.
Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler said: “The HTA Review Report is farsighted enough to be visionary, while being firmly grounded in the practicalities of the here and now.
“The goal is faster access to the best therapies, at a cost that patients and the community can afford. Value for money remains paramount, because value is at the heart of patient benefit.
“With health technologies, the opportunity cost of a dollar spent needlessly or on the wrong therapy is enormous. It isn’t measured in dollars and cents, but in months and years, and time lost with loved ones.
“Good reform must be jointly owned. Landing it will take time and the collective effort of governments, experts, patients and industry.”
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