Breaking boundaries: New experts to unleash bold proposals for overhauling Health Technology Assessment (HTA)

Pharma News: Medicines Australia has welcomed the appointment of independent experts to the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) review.

With a crucial role in shaping the review process, experts at the University of Adelaide (Adelaide Health Technology Assessment) and the University of Technology Sydney (Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation) will embark on their mission of producing insightful papers for the upcoming phase of the HTA review consultations. Their research endeavours are expected to prioritise placing patients at the core of the HTA process, while also exploring global best practices and potential future improvements in HTA.

The recently unveiled Federal Budget reflects a vision to modernise healthcare with significant initiatives, including a substantial $2.2 billion investment in Medicare and bulk billing.

Medicines Australia welcomed this investment, recognising that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which has been in place for 75 years, and HTA, introduced 30 years ago, need to keep pace with the rapid scientific advancements in medicines, vaccines, and new technologies.

Trent Zimmerman, former federal member for North Sydney and chair of the House of Representatives health committee between 2016 and 2022, said in an opinion piece “The current PBS…was not designed to assess subsidies for treatments that might be personalised for each individual, which is the hope precision medicine can offer. These are treatments that can cost in the many tens of thousands and will be beyond the reach of most Australians without government subsidies.

“New medicines and technologies rarely come cheap but upfront costs often bring long-term savings, particularly for chronic conditions that could otherwise involve years of health expenditure. More fundamentally, they save lives or shape the quality of life for so many Australians – and that’s surely worth the investment.”

The HTA review presents a golden opportunity to ensure that the PBS remains aligned with the needs of today’s patients. Just as Medicare has been long overdue for reform, Medicines Australia firmly believes that the time for comprehensive PBS reform is now. The strength of Medicare depends on a robust PBS, making it imperative to modernise both systems to meet the evolving healthcare landscape.

“Improving the health technology assessment process is vital in a global environment where Australia is a small market. Cost, payment and process barriers need to be calibrated to ensure there are strong incentives for pharmaceutical and medical technology companies to enter our market so Australians have access to the newest of treatments,” noted Mr Zimmerman.

As the HTA review gains momentum under the guidance of the independent experts, Medicines Australia remains optimistic that this collaborative effort will result in a revamped healthcare system that optimally serves the needs of patients today and in the future. The convergence of cutting-edge research, global insights, and forward-thinking reforms has the potential to reshape the landscape of healthcare delivery and elevate the quality of care provided to all Australians.

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