EU Joint Clinical Assessments: Lessons for Australia
The implementation of the EU Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) is a significant step toward streamlining HTA processes across Europe. For Australia, where we are accustomed to an independent but rigorous HTA framework, the EU JCA raises interesting questions about efficiencies that could be achieved through collaboration while maintaining high evaluation standards. The emphasis on harmonization in Europe could provide lessons for how Australia might navigate regional or global partnerships without compromising the integrity of its own evaluation processes.
Real-World Data and AI: Opportunities for Local Application
Real-world data (RWD) and artificial intelligence (AI) were recurring themes throughout the conference, highlighting their transformative potential in evidence generation. For Australia, where our vast healthcare data resources remain underutilized, the integration of AI in HEOR presents a significant opportunity to improve decision-making and support more tailored patient outcomes.
The challenges discussed—such as ensuring data privacy, equity, and meaningful application of AI insights—are particularly relevant here. As the Australian healthcare sector increasingly incorporates RWD, the experiences shared at ISPOR could guide how we address these issues and maximize the value of our healthcare data.
Expanding the Definition of Healthcare Value
The conference highlighted the importance of looking beyond economic metrics to include broader measures of value, such as mental health, quality of life, and social impact. For Australia, this aligns with the ongoing policy focus on addressing inequities in rural and remote healthcare and the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Integrating these broader value dimensions into health technology assessment and reimbursement frameworks could help create a more inclusive healthcare system.
Implications for Australian Policy and Practice
Sessions on European regulatory and policy developments underscored the importance of adapting to shifting global standards while considering local context. From an Australian perspective, continued engagement with international frameworks, such as those presented at ISPOR, can inform how we manage cost, innovation, and equitable access.
Final Thoughts
While ISPOR Europe 2024’s context was European, many of the themes—particularly the expanded use of RWD, AI in HEOR, and patient-centred approaches—have direct implications for Australia. The focus on evidence generation to improve both health and well-being resonates with our own healthcare priorities.
As Australia continues to refine its HTA processes and explore digital transformation in healthcare, events like ISPOR provide valuable insights. The challenge will be in adapting these learnings to our unique healthcare system and ensuring that the focus on evidence leads to tangible benefits for all Australians.
If you would like to understand more about HTA in Australia or New Zealand for your healthcare solution,
please reach out to Jo Atkins, Head of Access, Research & Intelligence [email protected]
Jo Atkins
Head of Access Research and Intelligence
Jo is a registered pharmacist with post graduate qualifications in Health Economics and a Master of Management with a major in Marketing from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management...
View Profile