Amgen-led patient roundtable drives momentum in HTA stakeholder framework

With the release of the Interim Report from the HTA Review Implementation Advisory Group (IAG), co-developing a framework for stakeholder engagement in health technology assessment (HTA) has been identified as an immediate priority.

Patient Voice Initiative CEO, Ann Single, joined Amgen’s roundtable with patient organisations to reflect on the current landscape and highlight key issues moving forward. Single presented an overview of patient and consumer involvement, including current practices in Australia, insights from recent inquiries, reviews and co-design exercises, and a snapshot of international trends.

A central theme of the HTA Review has been the need to strengthen transparency and engagement across stakeholders. This includes improving access to joint government-industry performance statistics and information via the Access to Medicines Working Group (AMWG).

The Chairs of the PBAC and the MSAC have advised the IAG that both committees have progressed initiatives to increase transparency of assessment processes and enhance stakeholder engagement. For example, the MSAC provides decision summaries for consumers, and the PBAC has increased engagement with sponsors to allow for more tailored discussions. IAG members also noted the Consumer Consultative Committee’s role in incorporating patient perspectives into HTA processes.

The interim IAG report stresses that establishing a stakeholder engagement framework is a crucial first step in empowering all stakeholders, including consumers and clinicians, to participate effectively in HTA processes. To kick-start this work, the IAG suggested that the government could consider resourcing the Department of Health to advance the framework, guided by the Consumer Consultative Committee and in consultation with all stakeholders.

Given the extensive input already captured from patients and other stakeholders in the Enhance Co-design Report, the HTA Review, and CEEU’s Conversations for Change work, there is optimism that this next phase can proceed swiftly.

Patient Voice Initiative emphasised that rapid implementation of all recommendations, particularly those aimed at improving access and reducing time to access, is “critical”.

Louise Healy, Education and Advocacy Manager at Rare Voices Australia, and Sharon Winton, CEO of Lymphoma Australia, also contributed to the Amgen roundtable. They highlighted specific needs and insights from the rare and lymphoma communities. For patient organisations engaging with HTA for the first time, the discussion was a stimulating exploration of collaboration among patient communities, the CEEU, the Department of Health, and the pharmaceutical industry.

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