Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is way of assessing the ways science & technology are used in healthcare and disease prevention. It covers medical, social, economic, and ethical issues.
It provides policy-makers with objective information, so they can formulate health policies that are safe, effective, patient-focused and cost-effective.
HTA should be transparent, unbiased, robust and systematic – firmly rooted in research and the scientific method.
Diagnostic and treatment methods, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, rehabilitation & prevention methods, but also organisational and support systems used to deliver healthcare are examples of Health Technologies.
European cooperation on health technology assessment
HTA is an important part of evidence-based health decision-making in most EU countries. To enhance cooperation between countries, the Commission:
- has set up a permanent, voluntary HTA network in Europe. The network aims to:
- facilitate efficient use of HTA resources in Europe
- create a sustainable system of HTA knowledge sharing
- promote good practice in HTA methods and processes
- supports EUnetHTA’s “Joint Action 2” on HTA, with funding from the EU health programme: EUnetHTA -European network for health technology assessment