A health technology assessment (HTA) involves a range of processes and mechanisms that use scientific evidence to assess health technologies for their quality, safety, efficacy, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. This informs Australian Government decisions to fund and subsidise health technologies through programs such as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Medicare Benefits Schedule and National Immunisation Program. 

This report makes 50 recommendations across a range of areas, including improving access to new health technologies, tackling inequity, and making HTA processes simpler and easier for consumers and clinicians to participate in.

A multifaceted approach will be required to improve the HTA arrangements, in part due to the complexity of Australia’s health system. The Review recommends reforms of HTA policy and methods that provide stakeholders and decision-makers with tools and processes to:

1. address inequities in access
2. improve timely access to medicines
3. improve engagement
4. invest in HTA capability to make it adaptable and futureproof.

The package of reforms range from horizon scanning, planning and system readiness to bringing important medicines and vaccines to Australia, and evidence assessment, implementation and review. The central tenet of the Review is the imperative to improve timely access to affordable medicines and vaccines to meet the needs of all Australians, in particular First Nations people.