EUROPSO, the European umbrella organization representing national patient associations for psoriasis, has been appointed to the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Stakeholder Network.

“This is a significant step forward for psoriasis patient advocacy,” said David Trigos, EUROPSO’s Vice President. He added, “With EUROPSO appointed to the HTA Stakeholder Network, the organization now has a seat at the table where critical decisions about health technologies are made. For patients with psoriasis and related chronic conditions, this is a major win. EUROPSO’s presence means that the voices of millions of people who rely on effective treatments will be directly represented in HTA discussions.”

What is Health Technology Assessment?

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is a process that evaluates the medical, social, economic, and ethical implications of new or existing health technologies. The term “health technology” covers a broad range, from medicines and medical devices to surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, and even organizational methods in healthcare systems.

The goal of HTA is to assess how beneficial these technologies are for patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers. Through rigorous research, HTA provides insights that help determine whether a health technology should be adopted, reimbursed, or implemented more widely. Essentially, HTA works as a filter to ensure that only effective, safe, and cost-efficient healthcare innovations reach patients.

The new HTA Regulation and what it brings

In January 2022, a new HTA regulation was adopted by the European Union, introducing substantial changes aimed at harmonizing how HTA is conducted across member states. This regulation will fully apply as of January 2025 and is especially crucial because, until now, each EU country had its own approach to HTA, leading to discrepancies in how new technologies were evaluated and approved.

The HTA Regulation brings three major changes:

1. Joint clinical assessments: Member states are now required to conduct joint clinical assessments for specific health technologies, especially those involving new medicines and high-risk medical devices. This collaborative approach reduces duplication of efforts, leading to faster evaluations and ultimately quicker access for patients.
2. Unified methodologies and procedures: The new regulation standardizes methodologies across countries. This means that HTA agencies within the EU will follow the same assessment guidelines, ensuring consistent quality in evaluating health technologies.
3. Greater stakeholder involvement: Patient organizations, healthcare professionals, industry stakeholders, and other relevant groups now have an active voice in the HTA process through the Stakeholder Network. By involving more perspectives, especially from patients who experience the real-world impact of health technologies, the EU aims to make HTA decisions more representative and patient-centered.

EUROPSO’s involvement offers several advantages

EUROPSO can now engage in direct advocacy, sharing real-world patient experiences and emphasizing the importance of quality of life in HTA assessments. This input ensures that patient priorities are considered in evaluating new treatments and interventions.

By participating in the Stakeholder Network, EUROPSO can provide feedback on how HTA processes affect patients, helping to improve procedures and ensure patient-centered care.

Finally, with the streamlined approach of the HTA regulation, EUROPSO’s advocacy can speed up patient access to innovative therapies, especially in areas like psoriasis treatment, where rapid access to effective options is crucial for managing symptoms and improving well-being.

The impact of the new HTA Regulation on patients

The new HTA regulation promises to make healthcare in the EU more inclusive, efficient, and responsive to patients’ needs. By involving patient organizations like EUROPSO, the EU acknowledges that patient voices are essential in evaluating health technologies. This approach can have several positive outcomes such as faster access to treatment, better health outcomes and enhanced trust in health systems.

Featured image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay