Briefing on Health Technology Assessment in the European Union


The need for a briefing document on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) arose during the course of 2016 when the European Commission launched the initiative “Strengthening EU cooperation on Health Technology Assessment”1. The initiative included a public consultation, an impact assessment and study that together would inform the drafting of a legislative proposal2. 

The European Patients’ Forum (EPF) raised awareness and promoted the EC-led initiative3 among their membership and larger patient community, highlighting the importance of ensuring the patients’ voice is heard in a technical domain that has significant implications on quality of life and access to high quality healthcare. 

This briefing document provides an overview on Health Technology Assessment at EU and national level and shows the perspectives of all interested parties, (stakeholders). 

Whilst HTA is considered a highly technical domain, it is important to understand the policy and political implications and how the interests of diverse stakeholders are affected.