Expression of Interest for Consumers and Health Professionals - Multistakeholder Health Technology Assessment Reform and Implementation Reference Group

Overview

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the Department) is seeking expressions of interest from interested individuals for the Multistakeholder Health Technology Assessment Reform and Implementation Reference Group.

The Reference Group will be a non-statutory advisory body to support the Department’s implementation of health technology assessment reforms, providing the perspectives of consumers, patients and health professionals. The health technology assessment reforms respond to the Health Technology Assessment Policy and Methods Review, which examined how Australia assesses health technologies, including medicines, to inform public funding decisions. For more information, go to the HTA Improvements page.

The Reference Group will include up to 15 representatives as follows:

• 6-8 Consumer/ Patient members

• 4-6 Health Professional members including prescribers and pharmacists

• 1 Departmental Chair

Members will provide their knowledge and expertise, perspectives, and lived experience relevant to medicines access, health technology assessment, and the operation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. They will:

• Offer consumer, patient, carer and clinician insights and perspectives on implementation approach and policy design choices.

• Advise on ways to educate system users and the public on progress of these reforms and non-confidential aspects of strategic agreements.

• Participate in group discussions and review discussion papers to ensure implementation decisions balance the needs of system users.

Members are expected to participate in around 6 meetings over the next 12 months. Most meetings will be held online, but there may be up to 2 in-person meetings in Canberra. Members may also be asked to review papers or provide feedback out of session, where required.

The Multistakeholder HTA Reform and Implementation Reference Group may also be asked to discuss topics relevant to the Strategic Agreement between the government and industry.

Members will be remunerated for their participation in the Reference Group. Remuneration will be by reference to the Remuneration Tribunal rates and/or the Department’s Remuneration Framework for Members of Non-Statutory Committees.

Eligibility

Applications are invited from consumers, patients, carers, prescribers, and pharmacists with relevant knowledge, experience or perspectives on access to medicines in Australia, especially health technology assessment.