50 recommendations to ensure access to latest treatments

The federal government has released the final report of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review.

The report makes 50 recommendations across a range of areas, including improving access to new health technologies, tackling inequity, and making HTA processes simpler and easier for consumers and clinicians to participate in. It is a consensus report that includes the views of experts and patient organisations, First Nations peoples, scientific and clinical practice, industry and government.

The report informs federal government decisions to fund and subsidise health technologies through programs such as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Medicare Benefits Schedule and National Immunisation Program.

Health 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.

“The government acknowledges the expertise, dedication and tireless work of the Review Committee: Adjunct Professor Debora Picone (Chair), Dr Dawn Casey PSM, Ann Single, Professor Andrew Wilson AO, Professor Andrew Roberts AM, Adjunct Professor Adriana Platona PSM and Medicines Australia CEO Liz De Somer.”

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 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.

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