What is HEMA?

The Pink Sheet reports on a new international health technology assessment (HTA) body: Health Economics Methods Advisory group (HEMA).

The Health Economics Methods Advisory group (HEMA) is a new, independent group of health technology assessment agencies from the US, England and Canada that will work together to develop recommendations on adopting novel health economic methods to support decision making by health care systems. HEMA will also consider the need for modifications to current methods, the uncertainties in the application of new methods and suggestions for further research.

According to the ICER website, HEMA’s aims are:

1. Convene an independent working group of methodologists, policy experts, and researchers dedicated to improving understanding of novel health economic methods and related decision-making processes within the context of HTA.
2. Coordinate the development of white papers, peer-reviewed publications, workshops, and seminars that focus on the conceptual and empirical applications of novel methods, assess their applicability and feasibility in HTA settings, and share research and policy perspectives with a broad set of HTA stakeholders.
3. Provide recommendations to the HTA community regarding adoption of novel methods, modifications that might be required, uncertainties in methods application, and suggestions for further research.

What was industry’s response? The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) stated that:

“We look forward to engaging in these important discussions on new HTA methods and approaches, ensuring their continuing evaluation remains sensitive to how they could impact patients and their access to medicines, both here in the UK, and internationally,” said Victoria Jordan, head of HTA and market access policy at the association.