Evolution of Health Technology Assessment: Lessons learnt and future directions

This workshop discusses the continuing evolution of health technology assessment (HTA) in Australia. We reflect on the motivations behind HTA‑informed decision‑making, how current systems operate in theory and in practice, and what we have learned from work on fairness, bargaining, and real‑world decision processes. 

We then look to the future, considering challenges of the 2030s and opportunities for more patient‑centred, responsive, and evidence‑rich approaches to evaluation. 

The discussion will draw on emerging work that considers the role of HTA policy and processes in shaping negotiation between third-party payers and product sponsors, that considers why and how to amplify the consumer voice in HTA decision-making, and that explores how fairness is understood and implemented in HTA processes. 

The aim is to connect past insights with future directions to help shape a more flexible and inclusive HTA framework.

Keynote Speaker

Professor Robyn Ward AM, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Senior Vice-President, Monash University

Prof Ward provides leadership of the University's research and enterprise agenda. She currently chairs the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, and was previous Chair of the Medical Services Advisory Committee.