As HTA bodies continue to expand, a set of 15 key principles has been developed by the International Working Group for HTA Advancement, an independent group of HTA scholars. These principles ensure:

  • High standards for HTA bodies
  • Good practices in bridging science and policy decision-making

HTA programmes should follow these structural principles:

1. The goal and scope of HTA should be explicit and relevant to its intended use.

2. HTA should be conducted in an unbiased and transparent manner.

3. All relevant health technologies should be included in assessments.

4. A clear system for setting priorities for HTA should be in place.

HTA should employ rigorous methodologies:

5. Use appropriate methods to assess both costs and benefits.

6. Consider a wide range of evidence and outcomes.

7. Take into account a full societal perspective.

8. Clearly characterise uncertainty in estimates.

9. Address generalisability and transferability of findings.

HTA should follow robust processes:

10. Actively engage key stakeholders (e.g., professional bodies, patient organisations, manufacturers).

11. Seek all available data to ensure comprehensive analysis.

12. Monitor the implementation of HTA findings.

HTA findings should be effectively utilised:

13. Ensure HTA is conducted in a timely manner.

14. Communicate HTA findings appropriately to different decision-makers.

15. Maintain transparency between HTA findings and decision-making processes.

📊 Benchmarking HTA Organisations

The International Working Group for HTA Advancement has developed a benchmarking tool aligned with the 15 key principles of HTA bodies. This tool includes clear audit questions that help evaluate or develop HTA organisations.

🔗 Key principles and related questions for HTA bodies – Link to Fact Sheet

Adapted from Drummond M, Neumann P, Jönsson B, Luce B, Schwartz JS, Siebert U, et al. Can we reliably benchmark health technology assessment organizations? International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care. 2012; 28(2):159–165. Read on PubMed.