Health technology assessment in countries of the European Union

Abstract

Introduction: The topic of health technology assessment gains its popularity thanks to the role it plays in the processes of pricing, reimbursement and the level of impact on decision-makers in healthcare systems. Analyzing the work of health technology assessment agencies in European countries helps to determine their coverage in different countries, also to identify the benefits and the barriers that may affect the proper functioning of agencies and their activities.
Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study is to analyze the development and the activities of the organizations for health technology assessment in countries from the European Union, as well as to determine the role and extent of the use of HTA as decision-making tool.
Materials and methods: The information base of the research includes specialized scientific literature in Bulgarian and English. A number of official reports, documents and publications of international economic organizations and national agencies have been used, which provide an opportunity for better substantiation of ideas and analysis. The research uses the analytical, systematic, comparative and historical approach, scientific induction and deduction.
Results: The process of health technology assessment arises as a result of awareness of the opportunities and prospects it offers. The organization of HTA depends on the country concerned, the degree of decentralization and its national priorities and needs. The information used for the studies is based on methodologies in the field of epidemiology, clinical practice and healthcare economics. That is why complex HTA serves as a tool for political decisions in the field of healthcare.
The type of assessment that is used has a different variety depending on the country. The most commonly used evaluation methods are full HTA, economic evaluation, relative efficiency evaluation or a combination of two or more. After the analysis of HTA agencies in EU countries, there are several main differences – in the structure and organization of agencies, the degree of participation of patient organizations in the process, in terms of regulation of HTA processes, especially those related to medical devices. Despite good organization, the many associations and networks aimed at guiding and supporting HTA agencies, there are barriers to HTA for which should be build a strategy for their removement.
Conclusion: Despite the differences between countries, the agencies must continue their joint work to achieve even higher efficiency and to upgrade the level of development.