EPF Research on EU Patient Involvement in Health Technology Assessment (HTA)

The EPF Seminar on HTA held in May 2010 concluded that patient organisations clearly need support to be meaningfully involved in HTA processes. As a follow up of the event recommendations, EPF started conducting primary research on patient involvement in HTA since November 2010. The aim of EPF’s research is to understand the involvement of lay patients, informal carers and patient organisations in all the EU member states and to contribute this knowledge to inform HTA – research, policy, and practice. The outcome of this research work will be a good practice toolkit to be shared with HTA agencies, patient organisations and decision making bodies in the EU.

The research involves consultation with three main stakeholders - HTA agencies (1st phase), patient organisations (2nd phase) and HTA appraisal committees and decision makers (3rd phase) through surveys and discussions to get their views, needs, ideas and expectations in shaping the role and scope of patient involvement in HTA processes.  The 1st phase with HTA agencies has already been completed with a good response rate and the research has been acknowledged by EUnetHTA, the European Joint Action on HTA. An interim report consisting of key findings and recommendations will be available by March. The 2nd phase with patient organisations will be launched soon and the 3rd phase with HTA appraisal commitees and decision makers is expected to be launched in April.

In this regard, patient organisations that are already contributing to HTA or that have been trying to get involved can contact Abi Rajan.