Interim Report Released: Health Technology Assessment Review Implementation Advisory Group
The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Ageing and Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, announced the release of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review Implementation Advisory Group’s (IAG) Interim Report at PharmAus last night.
In response to the findings of the IAG’s Interim Report, the Albanese Government is taking immediate actions to:
- commence consultation on trialling new ways to streamline assessment of medicines
- begin a rolling review of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) Guidelines prioritising comparator selection and discount rate as the first areas for review
- undertake rapid research into areas of high unmet clinical need and high added therapeutic value, including agreed definitions of these terms
- develop a HTA stakeholder engagement framework with a particular focus on improving consumer and patient engagement
- hold bi-annual stakeholder meetings to consider specific issues related to medicines for First Nations people
These actions are in response to the Interim Report from the IAG and cover letter provided to Minister Butler by the IAG Chair, Professor Andrew Wilson. This letter has been released alongside the Interim Report. The cover letter provides further insights from the IAG Chair and can be downloaded at the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s website.
As the national peak body for Australians living with a rare disease, Rare Voices Australia (RVA) welcomes the Albanese Government’s commitment to taking the immediate actions outlined.
Read Minister Butler’s media release.
About the Implementation Advisory Group
RVA’s Chief Executive Officer, Nicole Millis, is a consumer representative on the IAG. The IAG is helping to guide critical reforms in response to the findings and recommendations of the HTA Review Report. The consumer input gathered through the HTA Policy and Methods Review, the Enhanced Consumer Engagement Process, The New Frontier – Delivering better health for all Australians report and Conversations for Change continues to contribute and inform the IAG’s work. The interim report provides early insights from the advisory group’s work to date. The final IAG report and proposed implementation roadmap are expected to be provided to the government in January 2026.
