What is the policy?

Health technology assessment (HTA) is a multidisciplinary policy analysis of the medical, economic, social and ethical implications of development, diffusion, and use of health technology, including medicines, vaccines, medical devices and interventions. HTA for medicines typically uses clinical, pharmacological and pharmaco-economic analysis to assess whether a new medicine provides any additional benefit compared with current practice and at what additional cost, and may recommend that a medicine be used for specific indications or patient sub-groups. HTA often quantifies fiscal and population health impacts of increased use of the technology. HTA seeks to synthesise research evidence and develop recommendations for decisions by policy-makers, managers and clinicians.

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